Margaret Elizabeth Roberts

On Friday, August 11, 2o23, Margaret E. Roberts answered the call of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Margaret Elizabeth Mills was born in Smithfield, Virginia to Percy Norman Mills and Grace Ross Mills. She was the youngest child in the Mills clan of 11 children and from the time of her birth she was cherished by her brothers, sisters, and others who knew her. She spent her formative years in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Margaret was educated mostly in the Nansemond County/Suffolk High School, but also attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic School. She graduated from East Suffolk High School in the early 1950s and subsequently completed training as a nursing aid. Margaret married Wilford E. Roberts in 1952, and the couple resided in Portsmouth and Hodges Ferry, Virginia. Two sons were born in this union, Welford Clayton Roberts and Eric Carlyle Roberts. The family later relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the early 1950s. Margaret was fierce advocate for her children within the Philadelphia school system, in their extracurricular activities, and she actively supported them during their college years. She was active in both the Cub and Boy Scouts of America, her neighborhood civic league, and supported her husband in his role as block captain organizing neighborhood events for 52nd and Webster Street in West Philadelphia. Margaret was a member of Wayland Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia where she sometimes taught arts and crafts to young attendees. Over the years, Margaret and Wilford freely opened their home to many friends and families. She was an extraordinary seamstress, tailor, and designer. She could look at an article of clothing, create the pattern, and make the garment. She loved fashion, shoes, and handbags. Margaret was meticulous about everything she did and how she ran her household. She loved to travel both nationally and internationally. She fell in love with St. Thomas, and it became her favorite travel destination. Margaret loved to cook and was famous for her chopped barbecue recipe and specialty cakes. Margaret's husband (Wilford), grandson (Welford C. Roberts, Jr.), both of her parents, and 10 siblings preceded her in death. Margaret made friends up and down the east coast, throughout the United States, and globally. She was loved by so many. She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Dr. Welford C. Roberts (wife, Lorethia) and Eric C. Roberts; granddaughter, Amanda Grace Roberts Bryans (Josh); a niece, Angela M. Bishop, who she raised during her formative years; an "adopted" son, Howard Earl Pritchard; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends. A special acknowledgement goes to Margaret's niece, Gwendolyn R. Johnson, who supported her and saw to her needs during her later years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A public viewing will be held 1:00-6:30pm, Friday, August 25, 2023 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. A celebration of life will be held 11:00am, Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Greater Sweet Beulah Apostolic Church. Bishop Madison Copeland will deliver the message of comfort. She will be laid to rest in Meadowbrook Memorial & Cremation Gardens. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Margaret Elizabeth Roberts, please visit our flower store.