Mable Ophelia (Williams) Roberts, 89

WILLIAMSBURG, Md. - Mable Ophelia (Williams) Roberts of Williamsburg departed this life peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, March 3, 2007, at Easton Memorial Hospital. She was 89.

"Miss Mable," as many people affectionately called her, had resided at Genesis-The Pines, Easton, for nearly four years.

Mable was born April 10, 1917, in Oxford, daughter of the late William Tomas and Bertha Hayward Williams.

After the death of her mother during the flu pandemic of 1918, Mable 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, Mable was involved in many church activities at the Williamsburg Memorial Methodist Church and other local churches.

Mable was a very proud 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.

Mable enjoyed life and considered every day a new adventure. 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."

Many people who visited her when she resided at The Pines remark that they themselves felt uplifted after visiting with her. Always a lady of few words, she was a very good listener and always had a kind, uplifting word and a smile for everyone.

She was united in holy matrimony on May 4, 1940, to Evangelist James T. Roberts, who died in March 1998.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Williams and James E. Ross; a granddaughter, Denise R. Roberts; a grandson, André M. Dixon; and a host of other relatives, friends and acquaintances.

She is survived by two daughters, Bertina Williams Thomas and Joyce Lima; five sons, William Orel Williams, Frederick A. Roberts, Evans C. Roberts and his wife Brenda, Singman T. Roberts and his wife Theresa and Lee T. Roberts and his wife LuAnn; 17 grandchildren, Marcia Williams Potter and her husband Melvin, Lenise Williams, Natalie Taylor, Donnia Williams, Monica Dixon, Patrick Williams and his wife Amy, Antonio Roberts, Robert Lima, Frederick Roberts and his wife Felicia, Brian Lima and his wife 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 and her husband 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 host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances.

A home-going service will be 11:30 a.m. Friday in the Union Baptist Church, 223 Glenwood Ave., Easton. Visitation for family and friends will be two hours prior to the service.

Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Md. 50, Easton.

Arrangements by Henry Funeral Home, 510 Washington St., Cambridge.