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Jane Gertrude Roberts, 92
Best known as “Momma Jane” in her later years, she was a beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother.
Jane Gertrude Roberts, wife of attorney Hiawatha T. Roberts and longtime Oakland resident, peacefully passed away Friday, June 4, 2021. She was 92.
She was raised in Denver, Colo., and accepted Jesus Christ at a young age. Best known as “Momma Jane” in her later years, she was a beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother.
Ultimately, she gave up her dream of being a doctor and left the University of Denver after two years to marry Hiawatha, the love of her life. They were married for almost 72 years and, in her own words, she “adored him.”
Together Jane and Hiawatha had six children, Althea Roberts-Griffin, Karen Knight (Frank), Sandra Roberts-Stokes (Danny), Sanford Roberts, Marie Roberts, and Marion Roberts.
Jane spent her life serving her husband and children. She served as a housewife, a carpool driver, a Girl Scout leader, PTA president, and daycare provider.
The doors of her house were always open. She fed and took in her grandchildren, children of friends and friends of her children throughout the years. Jane moved through the world with kindness and love.
Yet, even with a husband and six children, Jane found time to work. Professionally, she sold real estate, worked in the Highland Hospital intensive care unit as an aide, served as a law office manager, a counselor in Project Hope where she supported high school-age students, worked for Senator Nicholas Petris, and ran her own daycare business along with a variety of other positions.
Jane lived most of her life believing that she was the only daughter of her beloved parents, Ethel Carter Mosley and Samuel Carter. Two years ago, she learned that she was adopted at a young age and had six biological siblings of which one is still living and whom she had the pleasure to meet along with a number of biological nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and children, Jane is survived by her grandchildren (Brandon Abram, Eryc Fields (LaRhonda) Tiffany Griffin, La Toya Roberts, Frank III (Allison), Danielle Kidd (Andre) Kenneth Griffin, Elex Stokes (Kendria), Francesca Knight, Austin Alex, Jayne Roberts, Aryn Koger (Michael), Alana Knight, Xiomara Roberts, Samantha Roberts); a sister in-law, Jernice Marie Smith, brother in-law (Surrey Poole (Marie); her great niece and nephew, Ava Linthicum and Travis Washington Jr. Great-grandchildren Kiana, Akira, Jyrone, Brandon Jr., Shane, Trey James, JoJo, Braxton, Terry, Brooklyn, Superior, Mi’oun, Fyre, Haily, Isaiah, Khalil, Milo and Maxx; Great-great grandchildren – Chloe, Gianna; Great nieces and nephews – Marisha (Kevin), Juan (Angelica); Great-great nieces and nephews – Keira, Lily, Cecilia, Juan Jr, Kionye. She was preceded in death by her nephew, Kevin Poole.
