Ocella Roberts June 17, 1928-April 2, 2017
OCELLA MAE ROBERTS was born June 17, 1928 in Wheatley, Arkansas. She was the eldest of five children born to the union of James and Mattie Bell Jeffries. Ocella was too young to remember when the family moved to Brinkley and for most of her life she thought that Brinkley was her birth city. The family later moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where she accepted Christ and was baptized at the First Baptist Church by Reverend R. A. Johnson.
In 1943, the family moved to San Diego, California, which became Ocella’s permanent residence. She attended Memorial Junior High School and graduated from San Diego High School. She continued her education by enrolling in a school of cosmetology, and subsequently earned her license. However, Ocella did not enjoy doing hair, so she decided to seek employment in the Maid Service Industry, where she worked for some of the top hotels in San Diego.
Shortly after arriving to San Diego, Ocella united with Mount Zion Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend C Johnson and continued under Reverend J. Linzie Whitmill. She served on the #2 Usher Board for almost forty years. She faithfully attended Sunday School and was an active member of the Missionary Union. Ocella believed in missionary work. She was always willing to give rides to her church member for their doctor’s appointments, church services and churching meetings, as well as to the grocery store.
In 1949, Ocella married Reverend Giles C. Roberts. From this union a kind and gentle son was born, whom they named Charles Roberts. Unfortunately, Charles preceded her in death. Ocella made plans that when God calls her home, she would be laid to rest near her son, who was so dear to heart.
Ocella will be remembered for her tasty coconut cakes, fruitcakes, colorful crocheted throws, her love of doing for others and kind words of encouragement. But most of all, she will be remembered as a child of God and an heiress to the Kingdom; for she fought a good fight, she finished her course and she kept the faith.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings.
On Sunday, April 2, 2017, Ocella Mae Roberts was called from earthly labor to eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved cousin, Opal Wright, who was raised along with Ocella after her mother passed away. Opal was like a big sister to Ocella. They loved and adored each other. She also leaves a host of many more cousins, other relatives and friends, who will mourn her passing yet, celebrate her life.
Services were held Friday, April 14, 2017 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church; interment at. Mt Hope Cemetery. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.
