Ms. Roberta Blackwell, 88 of Charlotte, passed away on Wednesday June 17, 2020 at Northlake House Assisted Living.

Roberta Blackwell, affectionately known as Bert, was born February 10, 1932. She grew up on a farm in Jefferson, SC in the home of her grandparents. She attended high school in Pageland, SC. After high school graduation, she moved to Charlotte, NC to live with her mother, Mrs. Emily Blackwell (now deceased). In Charlotte, Bert was pleased to be joining her brother John E. Blackwell (now deceased), who was at the time, a student at Johnson C. Smith University. Her sister Mrs. Clara Blackwell Withers (now deceased), who was married and raising a family-- also welcomed Roberta to Charlotte.

Roberta attended Carver Junior College-now Central Piedmont Community College, where she earned a certification in Secretarial skills and office management. She began her career as a secretary at West Charlotte Junior High School---now Northwest School of there Arts. Roberta's career advanced to a number of managerial positions, including a stint with a group of black professionals---doctors, lawyers, and others, who collaborated to build and operate to house their practices. Later, Roberta accepted a position with the City of Charlotte, from which she retired in 1991. However, her service did not end there; upon retirement from the city, Roberta accepted the role of Administrative Assistance and Contract Compliance Officer with Bethlehem Center. The director of the Center reports that Roberta's "administrative skills, love of children and families contributed greatly to our mission and program for children." She "... was admired and respected by all who knew her for her excellent administrative skills and calm demeanor."

Roberta was a long time member of Simpson Gillespie United Methodist Church in Charlotte, where she served a multitude of capacities, too many to list individually. She sang on the choir, she taught Sunday School, she headed the Board of Trustees, she was a member of United Methodist Women, she was a leader of the young group and was the adult leader of the Girl Scout Troop headquartered at the church. She was lay speaker. She was also active in the United Methodist Church at the District, Regional and National Level, including service as Charlotte District Superintendent, Charlotte District Trustees, Western North Carolina Board of Church and society, Board of Managers of the Methodist Home, and the General Board of Global Ministries . She served not to accumulate accolades, but to share her gifts in service to the church and to God.

She also volunteered as a poll worker, including working the polls for the election of president Obama.

She did not have children but played an instrumental role in the lives of her nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was a caregiver, a role model, an inspiration, and a never ending source of love and support.  Each of her nieces and nephews---and their children--have memories of Roberta taking them for ice cream, or for a walk, or hosting them at a sleepover in her home, or just always showing up for the important times in their lives. She traveled to graduations, weddings, and births of children. She visited them at college and grad school. She took them on road trips. For example, she took her nephew Jarrett Blakeney (deceased) in to live with her after he graduated from High school She loved him and treated him like he was her son.

In addition to her mother, brother John, sister Clara and nephew Jarrett, Roberta is preceded in death by her older brother Spoffard Lee Blackwell.

Roberta is survived by her sister in law Evelyn Blackwell Ray (Floyd) Charlotte, NC and her nieces Shari Blackwell Gaither (Ron), Charlotte, NC; Valia Blackwell Lindsay (Randall), Rock Hill, SC and Claudia Withers (Carroll) Washington, DC. Nephews, Barry Withers, (Dianne deceased) Cleveland Ohio; Reginald Withers (Marie) Charlotte, NC and Everett Withers (Kara) Austin, Texas. Her surviving great nieces and nephews are Justin, Jasmine, Jonathan, Jordan, Jason, Kyle, Emily, Tia and Pierce. She also leaves behind a host of friends and relatives.

Roberta's family is thankful that many of her extended family, church family and friend have reached out to her with visitations, cards and gifts.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of Northlake House in Charlotte, NC where Roberta was a resident for the past 2 years and Home Community Care and Hospice in Indian Trail.