Jeannette Roberts
October 23, 1935 -November 20, 2022
Jeannette Eleanor Blake was born to Edna McLary and Hopeton Selwyn Blake on October 23, 1935, in Canal Zone, Panama. Jeannette was the fourth daughter born to the couple. Each daughter was named after a beautiful flower in the family garden, Pansy, Violet, Daisy, Hyacinth, and baby Rose; however, it would seem that Jeannette was not to be a flower but a star. She was named after Jeanette MacDonald, one of her father’s favorite movie actresses.
It was early in life that tragedy struck the young family. Edna Blake, while in labor, experienced difficulty in the birth of her sixth child. Despite attempts to resuscitate and aid Edna, she lost the battle. One of Jeannette’s earliest memories after this incident was playing under her mother’s coffin, which was set up in the parlor.Jeannettealso recalled that their grandmother had her and her sisters dressed for their mother’s funeral as they sang “Precious Jewels.”Selwyn was left without a wife and now had six daughters to care for, his five beautiful flowers, and his star.
Initially, the young sisters were cared for by various family members and friends. “Papa Selwyn” grew dissatisfied with this arrangement of his girls being separated and growing up apart. Eventually, he gathered the strength to ask his sister, Ann Blake Cummings, and her family to please take in his girls, so they could grow up together in a home where he had confidence in their upbringing. Jeannette grew up with Pansy, Violet, Daisy, and Hyacinth, while baby Rose was adopted by a separate family.
As the girls grew, they were faced with another heartbreaking tragedy. One of the Blake flowers was about to wither away.The eldest sister, Pansy, became ill with rheumatic fever. Jeannette recalled visiting Pansy at the hospital and only being allowed to wave to her as she stood by a window. Pansy did not survive.
As time passed, the girls attended church and were involved in all the local activities. Once Jeannette got to high school, she met David Roberts, Sr., he was walking to class when he saw Jeannette and it was love at first sight. They eventually married on February 25, 1956. The wedding ended up being one hour late. Why? Because the morning of the wedding, Jeannette discovered that moths had eaten away her bridal veil. There was a mad scramble to recreate her bridal veil before the ceremony because Jeannette would not be married without a bridal veil.
About a month earlier, they had a civil ceremony so David could begin the process and paperwork for Jeannette to leave Panama and go to the United States as his wife. David would start his professional baseball career as a shooting star, and Jeannette would be a shining star by his side. They left for the United States shortly after their wedding day, leaving family, friends, and all things familiar. This was a new start as husband and wife and as emigrants to a new country for Jeannette and David. Never could they have imagined that this was just the beginning of an exciting and spirit-led journey culminating in 65 years of marriage, a milestone and example their family is very proud of.
This is where we, as the children ofJeannetteand David Roberts, Sr., cannot express enough our admiration for the courage and desire that it took for our parents to leave their native land to come to a foreign country that was built on dreams and a hope of a better life.
As David was building a legacy for his family through his professional baseball career,Jeannettewas building the foundation of the home. She was not alone long before their first child, Charmaine “Robin” was born. The three were cozy as a young family and were soon joined by David, Jr., Sheilah, and Lance.
The following years were filled with travel to various countries and other cities within the United States. As David traveled with the team, Jeannette was often left with the task of relocating the family. She was strong and resilient, driving across the country with the kids, learning to manage the finances, and adjusting to new neighborhoods and cultures. They traveled to Washington, D.C., Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and eventually Tokyo, Japan. David’s career in the United States included both the Minor and Major Leagues, boasting Houston Colts (Astros) and Pittsburgh Pirates, and in the Japanese League, the Sankei Atoms and Kintetsu Buffaloes.
While in Japan, the family settled in as David’s career thrived. The years in Japan allowed Jeannette, who was already cultured, to nourish her sense of style and poshness. She enjoyed learning Ikebana, developing a love of China, porcelain, pearls, silk, and continual travel. The family remained in Japan for seven years before returning to the United States. David continued to play baseball in Japan.
Returning to the “States,” they moved to sunny California, purchasing a wonderful family home in the Northridge community, where they would remain for over three decades. They joined the Pacoima Seventh-day Adventist church, now Valley Crossroads, serving in multiple leadership positions, and making lifelong friendships. One of Jeannette’s most memorable church leadership positions was Sabbath School Superintendent. She was known for her giftedness in presentations and for creating a constructive environment for the church to learn and grow.
Church was fundamental to Jeannette. In fact, she began her work history at the Tamarind Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church as the church secretary. She refined her clerical skills before moving on to work for the Social Security Administration (SSA). She took great pride in her responsibilities as a claims representative and deeply appreciated the impact her choices made on the lives of those who needed help. Jeannette loved her career and made long-lasting friendships.
In her spare time, Jeannette enjoyed gardening and tending to her rose bushes and other flowers in her garden. Her favorite flowers were orchids. If she had been given another name to match her sisters, it could have been Orchid for her favorite flower, however her family has come to learn that there is actually a flower named Jeanette Passion Flower (Passiflora). Another interest of hers was interior decoration, where she artfully displayed her treasures from her world travels, beautifying her home with elegance and a professional flare. Although she never went to school for interior decorating, this certainly could be considered one of her natural gifts.
As their children's high school and college years passed, it was time for weddings and grandchildren.Jeannette and David were blessed with their first grandchild Rita, through Lance, who became their bonus daughter in their middle age, raising her from the time she was four months old in their Northridge family home.
Jeannette and David gained sons by marriage Alfred Minisee (Sheilah) and Mirthell Mitchell (Rita), and daughters by marriage Kathleen (David, Jr.) and Pamela (Lance). Then came grandchildren Alyssa Minisee Broome, Jeffrey Minisee, Jennifer Roberts, Jessica Roberts, and Symone Roberts.And later great-grandchildren, Shalom Mitchell, Sinead Mitchell, Sade Mitchell, Shiloh Mitchell, Brandon A. Broome, and Dominic Broome.
Jeannette retired from the SSA after her eldest child, Robin, suffered a stroke. She and David cared for Robin until her passing in July 2018. They remained in their California home until 2008, when they decided to move to Keller, Texas. Their new home in Keller was just down the street from Alfred and Sheilah’s home, who also had recently moved to Keller. Their close proximity would prove helpful in their later years and declining health. Jeannette had finally found her dream home where she could decorate and host her family during visits and holidays, creating wonderful memories for her family through food, fellowship, and faith.
In Keller, David andJeannettebecame members of the Come and See Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was at this church that they met a wonderful fellowship of believers. These church members would regularly pick David, Sr., up for Sabbath services when he could no longer drive. The members also would come by after church to fellowship and bring entrées. They were an excellent example of Christian love that was so appreciated by David andJeannetteas they adjusted to life in Texas.
With declining health, David and Jeannette recently relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, closest to their grand/daughter Rita and their eldest son David Roberts Jr. who was the primary caretaker of his parents during their final years. Jeannette spent the last year of her life in deep spiritual reflection. As she lay in bed being taken care of by an outstanding team of medical professionals, she spent every hour saturated in the Word of God and sharing her faith. A star faded on Sunday, November 20, 2022, as Jeannette took her last breath.
In addition to her parents Edna and Selwyn, Jeannette was predeceased by David Roberts, Sr. (beloved husband), Pansy, Violet, Daisy, Hyacinth, Rose (beloved sisters), Charmaine “Robin” (beloved daughter).
She will be missed by her children David Jr. (Kathleen), Sheilah (Alfred), Lance (Pamela), grand/daughter Rita (Mirthell); grandchildren Alyssa (Brandon), Jeffrey, Jennifer, Jessica, Symone; great-grandchildren Shalom, Sinead, Sade, Shiloh, Brandon, and Dominic; brothers-in-law Ralph Roberts, James Roberts, sister-in-law Hannah Lane; and a host of nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.
Funeral service will be 11:30 a.m., Sunday, December 11, 2022 at Mt. Pisgah Seventh-day Adventist Church (111 Church Street Gurley, AL 35748) with Mr. David Roberts officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Gardens.
To view the service of Mrs. Jeannette Roberts, please click on the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87352595877?pwd=UnpKZXA2UHZYRFdGSWhHYWI1TUFGdz09
Please note the link will not be active until service time at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, December 11, 2022.
