LaVerne Roberts

LaVerne F. Roberts CHARLOTTE - LaVerne F. Roberts of Charlotte passed away on March 2, 2014. She was 89. LaVerne was born with the voice of an angel, and no one who heard her sing ever forgot the experience. She studied opera at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and with the famed soprano, Helen Jepsen of the Metropolitan Opera, sang with the Cincinnati and Charlotte Symphonies, in concerts, operas and in churches in the Ohio area, New Jersey and New York, and finally in Charlotte. She became one of the most sought after voice teachers for many years and was a soloist and choir member at Trinity Presbyterian Church until her final days. She gave the world, and especially her children, the gift of music for which they will be eternally grateful. Her legacy lives in the voices and instruments of her daughter, sons and her many students and can be heard any time one of them plays or sings. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Roberts Knowlson of Charlotte, her sons, Michael Roberts and wife Mary Lou of Colorado Springs, Gordon Roberts of Ocean Isle Beach and Rob Roberts of Boone. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brooke, Emily and Lindsey Roberts and Emma and Selby Knowlson. Services will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd., Charlotte on Friday at 2pm. A reception will follow. Voice students, colleagues and friends in music are invited to join their voices with those of the Trinity Choir in celebrating LaVerne's life. Singers are asked to come to the choir room (located under the sanctuary) at12:45 pm on Thursday to assemble and rehearse. Those owning copies of the Requiem of Johannes Brahms are asked to bring them. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Trinity Presbyterian Church Music program. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinafuneral.com Arrangements entrusted to Carolina Funeral Service & Cremation Center.