Mable Ophelia Roberts

WILLIAMSBURG - Mable Ophelia Williams Roberts, 89, passed away in her sleep on Saturday morning, March 3, 2007, at the Memorial Hospital at Easton. "Miss Mable," as many people affectionately called her, had resided at Genesis-The Pines, in Easton for nearly four years.

The daughter of the late William Tomas Williams and the late Bertha Hayward Williams, Mable was born on April 10, 1917, in Oxford. After the death of her mother during the flu pandemic of 1918, she was raised by her late uncle and aunt, the Rev. Alexander and Minnie Williams. They lived on a farm near Trappe, where Mable learned responsibility and good work habits at an early age. She attended Talbot County schools.

From an early age, Mrs. Roberts was involved in many church activities at the Williamsburg Memorial Methodist Church in Williamsburg and other local churches. She was a member of one of the founding families of the village of Williamsburg. She became one of the unofficial community historians and sponsored many programs to raise funds needed for the church and the cemetery.

She especially enjoyed singing, taking short trips, cooking, providing child care for family, friends and neighbors, caring for numerous pets, bird-watching, flower gardening, attending plays and fashion shows, sewing, and "people watching.

She was united in holy matrimony on May 4, 1940 to Evangelist James T. Roberts. Her husband of nearly 58 years predeceased her in March 1998. In addition to her parents and husband, Mable was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph Williams and James E. Ross; a granddaughter, Denise R. Roberts; a grandson, André M. Dixon and a number of other relatives.

Mrs. Roberts survivors include two daughters, Bertina Williams Thomas and Joyce Lima; five sons, William Orel Williams (her firstborn son, William Orel Williams, disappeared in 1937, at 2 years of age. The case remains unsolved and Orel's whereabouts are unknown), Frederick A. Roberts, Evans C. Roberts (Brenda), Singman T. Roberts (Theresa) and Lee T. Roberts (LuAnn); 17 grandchildren, Marcia Williams Potter (Melvin), Lenise Williams, Natalie Taylor, Donnia Williams, Monica Dixon, Patrick Williams (Amy), Antonio Roberts, Robert Lima, Frederick Roberts (Felicia), Brian Lima (Lisa), Justin Burrell, Kia Roberts, Uriah Roberts, Lisa Martin, Aisha Maxwell, Andra Jones and Naomi Ambrose; 15 great-grandchildren, Tamara Dixon, Martriece Bell, Gabrielle Dixon, Andreanna Dixon, Danielle Williams, Kendall Williams, Natasha Speller (Mousieur), Brianna Lima, Brandon Lima, Myles Roberts, Travez Frieson, Aania Roberts, Justin Maxwell, Brandon Blake and Samuel Ryan Adams; three great-great-grandchildren: Nasiim Jackson, Ubairi Jackson and Asia Marie Lane Petty; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A home-going service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, at the Union Baptist Church, 223 Glenwood Ave., Easton. Visitation for family and friends will be held two hours prior to the service. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, U.S. 50, Easton.

Arrangements are being handled by Henry Funeral Home, PA in Cambridge.