Mrs. Roberta Kennedy Jones

Roberta, our beloved, was the tenth of eleven children born to Willie and Lillie Kennedy on October 29, 1926 in Pine Mountain (formerly Chipley), Georgia. Roberta’s spiritual foundation was laid and nurtured at Bright Star Baptist Church in Chipley where she accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was baptized. She was educated in the Troup County Public School system. Roberta, from an early age exhibited the God given qualities of love, empathy and compassion. She would go out of her way to be a blessing to others. These attributes became the hallmark she would exemplify throughout her life. Strangers, friends and family alike would benefit from the love she provided through wise counsel, financial help, hot meals, a place to lay their head or downright “tough love.” She was a straight shooter. She told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted. She loved people, especially her family. Roberta, affectionately known by many as Coot or Cootie, met and married Maceo Wilson in La Grange, Georgia following a brief courtship in 1948. They relocated to New York and she gave birth to a beautiful vivacious baby girl named Veronica in 1950. Vick, as she was called, was the greatest gift and joy of her life. Roberta and Vick moved to Detroit in 1951, following the dissolution of the marriage and lived with her sister Lillie Pearl Daniel where they thrived among a growing number of close relatives and friends. She gained employment in the food service industry as a cook soon thereafter to support her daughter. Roberta united with Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, the family’s church, under the pastoral care of the late Rev. William Friday after settling in Detroit. Roberta‘s life changed forever in 1959 upon the unforeseen death of Veronica due to a rare heart disorder. Though extremely saddened and heartbroken, her unwavering faith and trust in God along with the love and support of family and close friends helped sustain and strengthen her throughout difficult days and years that followed. Roberta moved into a small apartment on the corner of Linwood and Collingwood to be close to Lillie Pearl and her family shortly after the family relocated to Collingwood in 1961. Apartment 17 became a gathering place for many lessons in life, hearty meals and sleepovers with her sisters, nieces and nephews. Roberta’s personality, beauty and overall essence drew the attention of a tall, strong, handsome widower in 1966. He captured her heart, love called and a marriage proposal followed a few years later. She was joined in holy matrimony to Paul Lawrence Jones in 1969 and accepted the call upon her life to become a homemaker and mother to 7 of his 8 children. Roberta and Paul purchased a large house on McLean Street in Highland Park in 1971 where the entire family dwelled and grew under her love and nurturing care into adulthood. The doors to a bright future for many were opened there. Roberta rededicated her life to Christ in 1981 following the death of her sister Lillie Pearl. She joined Detroit Baptist Temple (now Detroit Bible Tabernacle) under the leadership of Pastor Kenneth E. Harris and continued in service as an usher. She attended and served until her health prohibited her from doing so, remaining a member until her death. Roberta acted without haste to move her sister Christine Coverson into her home in 1984 after witnessing her substandard quality of life and declining health. Shortly afterward, she fulfilled the death bed request from the mother of Christine’s 10 year old grandson to take care of him upon her passing. She gave her best in raising him to ensure that he had a loving home, a solid foundation and an opportunity to succeed in life. Roberta’s faith was tested again in 1987 upon the sudden, untimely and tragic death of her beloved husband, Paul. She would diligently call upon the Lord for guidance and direction in order to move forward in life while caring for her sister and great-nephew. Following much prayer and after hearing from God, she would state, “The Lord told me not to worry, He would take care of me,” affirming her dependence, faith and trust in him. Little did she know that God was preparing her for such a time. About 8 months prior to this tragedy, God placed on the heart of her nephew Reggie, a desire to teach her how to drive. Though extremely nervous, she accepted the challenge and successfully obtained her driver license. A few months later she was surprised and blessed with the gift of a brand new car at her 61st birthday celebration. Citing his love and appreciation for Roberta, Paul described her as “a pillar of strength.” Forty days later, the Lord called Paul home. God’s promise to take care of her in the midst of another sad chapter in her life was being fulfilled. Roberta faced yet another heartbreaking experience in 1990 when her sole surviving sister, Christine, and her brother George, passed away sudden and unexpectedly within the span of 2 weeks. Though saddened and deeply grieved, Roberta pressed on and continued to acknowledge God’s calling on her life. In 1994, she welcomed Christine’s son Bernard, who struggled with health and housing issues into her home. Roberta lived in her home along with Bernard until 2010, when due to health and safety concerns it was no longer feasible to do so. Following a brief stay in assisted living and nursing facilities, it was now her time to be taken care of by family members she helped to raise from birth. She was overjoyed and happy to move in with Reggie on her 86th birthday in 2012. God continued to honor his promise. While there, she found lots of love, support and happiness until her final days. Roberta peacefully transitioned from earth to heaven Friday, October 13, 2023, leaving a legacy of love and a treasure trove of precious memories. Among those left to rejoice in her memory and take comfort in knowing that she’s with her Heavenly Father include four children; Debra Lynn Jones, Greg (NaTasha) Jones, Andre Quincy (Audrey) Jones and Kimberly Renee Jones; one sister-in-law, Hazel Kennedy; twenty-three nieces and nephews including primary caregivers, Reggie and Jackie Daniel, legal guardian Greg Coverson, his wife Joann, and a plethora of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and cousins. She will be sorely missed by her last surviving first cousin, Idele Burrow of Atlanta, Georgia, a loving surrogate sister. She was preceded in death by her parents; Willie and Lillie Kennedy, 4 sisters; Nettie Mary, Evelyn, Lillie Pearl, and Christine, 6 brothers; Olie, Thornhill, Willie, George Allen, Leonard and Thomas Earl; 4 children; Veronica, Michelle, Michael and Dennis.

Mrs. Roberta Kennedy Jones

October 29, 1926 - October 13, 2023