Ella Mary Roberts (Young) Obituary (1935 - 2023)

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. - Pro 31:31 NIV In the wise providence of God, 87 years ago, in the town of Lutcher, LA, Ella Mary Young Roberts was born to the parentage of Edward and Lottie Booker Young on Friday, July 12, 1935. Ella was the first of five siblings born to that union. She and her siblings were reared and guided in a God-fearing, close-knit home filled with fun, laughter, and hard work. Ella received her primary education at Colonial School, Gramercy, LA and graduated from Cypress Grove High School, Lutcher, LA in 1954. Ella began her walk of faith early in life and confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior being baptized July 27, 1952 under the leadership of Rev. Versey Michael. Sensing the call to something greater, Ella began her collegiate career at Southern University A&M graduating June 1958 with a B.A. Elementary Education. Ella had a motto, "Always keep learning" and that she demonstrated by continuing her education receiving her Master's Degree in Education (1974), +30, and other continuing education credentials from Louisiana State University (Library Science), Nicholls State University, Loyola University, and The University of New Orleans. To support herself while pursuing her undergrad degree, Ella worked as a waitress in the cafeteria during her freshman year and later as a page in the Reference Department of the Library her sophomore thru senior years. Ella not only had a love for learning, she had an anointed voice for singing. While attending Southern University she became a member of the University Choir and a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. It was during her college years that Ella met the love of her life, Morris Henry Roberts who also was involved in education and singing. The "city boy and country girl" were a match made in heaven. Ella and Morris wed Saturday, August 30, 1958 and began their Teaching careers in St. James and St. John Parishes respectively. The happy couple settled down in their first apartment in Gramercy, LA but later spread their wings and move to their home in Reserve, LA. Morris also became a member of the New Zion Baptist Church where Ella served as a Primary Sunday School Teacher and Morris as the Sunday School Superintendent. By December 1959, a bouncing baby girl, Crystal Leannette Roberts was born and five years later in September 1964, Edward Henry Roberts was added to the family. What happy times permeated the home while Ella and Morris loved educating youth and raising their family. Unfortunately tragedy struck and Ella became an early widow only after six years of marriage. God called Morris home October 30, 1964. As time passed and God called Rev. Versey Michael home, Ella continued her love for teaching as a Sunday School teacher under the leadership of Rev. Emil Dean Mitchell, Sr. as well as singing and serving in the Senior and Women's Choirs. Ella loved praising God so much that on various occasions she was asked to sing a solo or she voluntarily helped out other choirs when attending other churches. Her operatic voice in singing God Specializes or Precious Lord Take My Hand were some of her favorites. Ella's home was often filled with her praising God while taking care of her home. She did not send her kids to church, she trained them in the way they should go on a daily basis and brought them to church with her. Following God's call and leading, Ella became a member of First Community Antioch Baptist Church April 9, 1995 under the leadership of Rev. Ferdinand Gaines, Jr. Ella's love for God and all people extended through her secular and sacred service. Ella was involved in: Private Tutoring - Elementary Education Religious Sunday School Primary Department Sunday School Teaching (Grades 1-3) Senior & Women's Choirs President - Pastor's Aide Club Leadership Ministry Bulletin Board Ministry Diabetic Support Group Ministry Prayer Vigil Ministry Missions Ministry Public Lutcher/Gramercy Civic Organization Gramercy Concerned Citizens NAACP As an Educator at heart, Ella taught for 30.5 years retiring from the St. James Parish Public School System in June 1990. During her tenure Ella put her hands and heart to work even and often spending her own money educating people through: St. James Community Action (Head Start) Lutcher Center #2 Sylvan Learning Center, LaPlace Huntington Learning Center By September 1990 when Project Read began, her love for educating drew her back to work part-time as a Facilitator assisting teachers of grades 1-8 with various strands and strategies of the reading programs by conducting lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. Ella's home was warm, fun loving, and she ran a "tight ship". She was diligent in tending to the needs of her children, grandchildren, and family without being asked. Ella would go above and beyond to ensure they had what was needed to succeed even purchasing her own private copying machine so that she could help others. Truly God broke the mold when He created her. In July 1998, Ella proudly welcomed and later mourned her first grandson, "Little Eddie". God was not done and later blessed her with three granddaughters, Hannah, Haley, and Heather, all of whom were the apple of her eyes. "Momo Ella" would stay involved in their lives traveling where ever and whenever to spend time with her family. When God summoned her, His angels ushered her into her heavenly home 5am, Wednesday, January 18, 2023. God works in mysterious ways. While Ella took her last breath the gospel song was playing, "When you hear of my home going, don't worry about me". Ella was confident in and trusted God's Word. Ella leaves behind a plethora of priceless memories that will forever be embedded in the hearts of her devoted children, Crystal and Eddie; a devoted daughter-in-law, Antoinette; three grandchildren, Hannah, Haley, and Heather; aunt, Charlotte Smith; loving sister (Rose Bell); sisters-in-law (Floy Batiste and Elaine Jones); brother-in-law, (Donald Blair), plus a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and two Godchildren, Keshall London and Lyric Lemar. Beloved family members that preceded her in death were her husband, Morris Henry Roberts; parents, Edward Sr. and Lottie Young; grandmother, Louise Booker; sisters, Ruth (James) Howard, Regina (Wilson) Mitchell; brother, Edward Young Jr; grandson Edward H Roberts, Jr.; aunts, Janie Carr, Edna Johnson, Ethel King, Margaret Cooper, Gloria Johnson, Nola Lamar, Justina Johnson, and Lizzie Mae Governor; father and mother-in-law, Morris and Gertrude Roberts; sisters-in-law, Adlay Roberts, Marion Gooden, Helois Blair; nieces, Lottie Howard, Cindy Blair Lee, and Athalia Williams-Lewis; nephews, Bryant Howard, Donald Blair, Thurston Gooden, and Philip Gooden. A celebration of life honoring Ella Mary Young Roberts will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 11am at First Community Antioch Baptist Church, 10860 LA-3125, Lutcher, LA 70071. Visitation beginning at 10am. Entombment to follow at St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, 2130 Rectory St., Paulina, LA 70763. Final care and professional services entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services, 315 E. Airline Hwy., Gramercy, LA 70052. "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a TREASURE!"