Mother Bettye Jean Beverly Roberson  of 1910 South Joe Wright Drive, Cordele, Georgia died Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM in chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Vienna City Cemetery in Vienna, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, Post Office Box 555, Cordele, Georgia 31010-0555.

We are here to celebrate a radiant star, one whose light, labor and love blessed her family, friends, former students, church, and community. She was born on February 15, 1933 in Dooly County, Vienna, Georgia, the oldest of four siblings born Elijah Eunice and Josephine Marshall.

A woman of strong faith, her favorite scripture is Psalms 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear." Betty was a member of the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist for over 60 years serving in many capacities including Usher, of course teaching Sunday School, serving as Sunday School Superintendent, Assistant Clerk, Clerk and Trustee Board Member.

Bettye graduated from Dooly County Schools in 1949. She received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Fort Valley State College in 1953. The same year she married her college sweetheart, the late Mulford Roberson Sr. He resumed his studies at Fort Valley following service to his country. During this time, Bettye resided in his hometown of Gerard, Georgia where she began her teaching career during  segregation. She taught 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders in a one-room schoolhouse located deep in the woods and built by her husband, family, and friends. After teaching in Screven County for one year she moved back to her hometown of Vienna.

Upon returning to Dooly County, she taught in Pinehurst, Georgia for two years before moving to Cordele, Georgia where she dedicated 34 years to the Crisp County Schools. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year for 1986-87.

Beyond her commitment to education, she served her community with grace and humility. In April of 1966, she was one of the founding members of the Valorette Social and Civic Club along with Lucille Harris, Ida Rose Oliver and Lovie Wheeler, which   provided scholarships for high school girls for more than 50 years. Among others were the Les Amie Social & Civic Club, Crisp County Retired Educators, Crisp Regional Pink Ladies Auxiliary, Voter Registration and Poll Worker, Crisp County Chapter of the NAACP and various other community programs and endeavors.

Her final contribution to the community ended after serving 5 years on the Crisp Regional Hospital Board, her photo now hangs among the wall of retirees as being the only black female to serve.

Bettye loved spending time traveling the United States and beyond. She has toured Jamaica, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Canada, New York City, Washington DC, Dallas, Texas, Florida, California, Utah, Kansas, Maryland, Ohio, Seattle, Washington and more. She also enjoyed fellowshipping with friends over their game of choice - Pokeno.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elijah Eunice & Josephine Marshall; her  husband, Mulford Roberson, Sr; her sisters, Dr. Shirley Black and Beverly Black; and her son, Romano Roberson.

She is survived by her loving children, Mulford Roberson, Jr (Valerie), Vienna, Georgia and Ricky Roberson (Melba), Lithonia, Georgia; Adoring grandchildren, Richard Roberson, Orlando, Florida, Terria Jones, Fairburn, Georgia, Beverly Roberson (Johnnie Green), Savannah, Georgia, Montavious Wells, Cordele, Georgia, Elliott Roberson (Yashlyn), Richmond Hill, Georgia, Durriyah Putmon, Macon, Georgia, Mulford Roberson III, Union City, Georgia, Johnna Betia Roberson, Atlanta, Georgia, Janika Haywood (Rodney), Stockbridge, Georgia, Crystle Roberson Dorsey (Omar), Santa Barbara, California, Chenna Crittenton, Lithonia, Georgia, and Jemore Roberson, Lithonia, Georgia; Brother, Ulysses Marshall (Brenda), Bowie, Maryland; Sister-in-law, Loree Hucks, Detroit, Michigan, Sister-in-law, Annie  Roberson and brother-in-law, Jerry    Roberson, St. Petersburg, Florida, nieces, Keayba Worthington (Derrick), Greensboro, North Carolina, Morgan Marshall, Charlotte, South Carolina; nephews, Ywanhnos Cody, Stockbridge, Georgia, Christopher Marshall (Emily), Washington, DC, Herman Black, II (Twana), William Black, Gray, Georgia and a host of beloved great grandchildren,   great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Bettye enjoyed special relationships with club sisters of the Valorette Social & Civic Club, dear friends - Charlie Mae Lemmons and Alma Williams, her neighbors, the Beal Family, the Mount Calvary Church Family and so many more who loved her.

Throughout Bettye's reign she lived with grace, loyalty, devotion, respect, humbleness, selflessness, and thoughtfulness. She served her family and her community with dignity. We say farewell to our dearest loved one. Even though you've gone out of our lives, you will forever be in our hearts.