Dorothy M.W. Roberts

On Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, God decided to call His daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Mae Woodruff Roberts, home to abide with Him and the angels eternally.

She was a resident of the Colonial Heights Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Colonial Heights, Va. Mrs. Roberts was born May 8, 1925, in Petersburg, Va., to the late Louise Morgan and John White.

Mrs. Roberts was educated in the school system of Petersburg, Va. She was employed for several years at Seward Luggage in Petersburg, Va. Later she worked in food service at the Fort Lee Army base and Central State Hospital, Petersburg, Va.

At an early age, she joined First Baptist Church, Harrison Street where she was a faithful member until her death. She was a member of the LA Black Circle, the Gospel Choir, Cathedral Choir, Church School and Ambassadors and the Ushers Board. She was life member in the Order Eastern Star of Virginia, PHA Chapter 33. Mrs. Roberts was also a member of the Edenmount Subdivision Neighborhood Watch and loved to travel to various cities especially Macon, Ga., where her son resided for many years.

Mrs. Roberts was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years of matrimony, James W. Roberts; two sisters, Thelma Roberts of Baltimore, Md., and Shirley Stone of Chicago, Ill.

She leaves as survivors, a devoted son, James H. Byrd Jr. of Chesterfield, Va.; son, James W. Roberts Jr. of New York; two brothers-in-law, Thomas Roberts of Lawton, Okla., and Ernest "Bunky" Roberts of Hopewell, Va.; three sisters-in-law, Minnie Bailey and Evelyn Oliver, both of Petersburg, Va., and JoAnn Roberts, Staunton, Va.; four grandsons, Jason L. Byrd (Gayonty) of Dinwiddie, Va., James C. Byrd of Tennessee, Darrell Ruffin of Delaware and Damon Brown of Norfolk, Va.; three nieces, Gena, Sharon and Shanita, all of Memphis, Tenn.; four cousins, Lucy A. Quillen (Joseph), William Parrish and Charles Parrish, all of Bridgeport, Conn., and Mary L. Bryan of Stanford, Conn. Along with a host of friends, she leaves several friends who were especially devoted, former daughter-in-law, Teresa W. B. Milliner, Irene Winston, Florence Clark, John Hudson, Harold Lewis, Caldonia Young, Deacon Samuel Smith and Marjorie Thompson.

A special debt of gratitude is extended to Odyssey Health Services and to the Colonial Heights Health Care Center for the wonderful services they rendered during Mrs. Roberts' illness.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at First Baptist Church, 236 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA. The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman, pastor, officiating. The interment to follow at the Dinwiddie Memorial Park, Petersburg, Va.

The family will receive friends at 837 Marseilles St., Petersburg, VA, and may be contacted by calling (804) 943-4618 or (804) 748-0751.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Roberts online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.