Roberta Houston January 7, 1954-July 31, 2017
ROBERTA HOUSTON was born January 7, 1954, in Elaine, Arkansas. She was the youngest of five children born to the union of Louis William Mathis and Annie Guye Mathis. Roberta was raised on a farm by her “sharecropper” parents until the age of seven, when the family moved to San Diego, California. She spent the majority of her life in San Diego, but considered herself a country girl at heart. At a very early age, she confessed her belief in Jesus Christ and was baptized at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in San Diego under the leadership of the late Reverend Norman Jackson.
Roberta completed her formal education in the San Diego Unified School District and graduated from Crawford High School. She continued her education at San Diego City College, the Educational Cultural Complex and took classes online and earned her certificate in Biblical Studies.
Roberta worked in the Social Services field holding positions at the California Children Services, the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and the San Diego Housing Commission. During her nearly forty years, in the Social Service field,Roberta found her passion in serving people. For more than twenty years, she dedicated herself to the affordable housing industry. She retired from the San Diego Housing Commission as a Supervisor after climbing through the ranks as a Housing Assistant, Housing Inspector and finally as a Housing Supervisor. While working her day job, Roberta wore many hats. To keep busy she became a licensed Real Estate Sales Associate, a California Notary Public and was the Sole Proprietor of Paradise Real Estate Consulting.
Loving the Lord and His people went hand in hand for Roberta. She was a dedicated servant and faithfully served at the Greater Victory Baptist Church from 1984 to 1996. She worked tirelessly in various roles at the Church under the leadership of the late Reverend C.H. White. She was part of the Pastoral Selection Committee and was hugely instrumental in the selection and onboarding of the new and current pastor, Dr. G.A. Williams. In 1996, the Lord spoke to her husband Deacon Keith Houston to join their daughter and son-in-law at The Mount Church formerly known as Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Being a child of God, her passion for helping people easily transitioned to her work in the church. Her zeal to help people extended in the form of her organizing God’s Comfort Ministry. She utilized this ministry to meet the needs of people with a focus on individuals diagnosed with cancer. Roberta used her own diagnosis to show God’s healing power. She would spend her time during her chemotherapy and radiation treatment to minister to nurses, doctors and patients. Many times over a span of almost twenty years, Roberta experienced The Lord’s healing power for herself time and time again declaring the phrase, “I shall live and not die and declare the works of The Lord.” Her words rang true and lifted the spirits of many individuals that were fighting cancer. As much as Roberta loved serving others she was faithful to her church and the Lord’s work. Over the years, she held many leadership positions in the church including, Church Administrator, Financial Secretary, Deaconess, Member of The Trustee Board, Advisor to the Women’s Ministry and Choir President. Most of all, she was a servant and completed any work with a willing spirit and smile on her face. Her motto was: “If I Can Help Someone Along My Life’s Journey, Then My Living Is Not In Vain.” She could often be heard saying: “This is a day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
During her service at Greater Victory Baptist Church, Roberta met and married the love of her life, Keith Houston, a wonderful Man of God and they were married on May 6, 1989. Roberta was a devoted wife who loved her husband unconditionally. She was an example of a Proverbs 31 and a Titus 2 woman.
Roberta Houston peacefully departed this earthly world on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 6:04 A.M. surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her father, Deacon Louis Mathis; mother, Annie Mathis; brothers, Charles Mathis and Joe Mathis; and her sister, Mary Ann Lott. Left to cherish her memory is her devoted husband, Deacon Keith Houston; her daughter, Deidra L. Williams (Dr. Reverend I. D. Williams) of Campo, CA; her son, Keith Houston II (Julia) of Lemoore, CA; one sister, Gracie Vaden of San Diego, CA; five grandchildren, Brittany M. Williams, Reverend Timothy J. Williams, (Darriel) Jodeci Nguyen, Kianna Houston and Jason Houston; two great-grandchildren, Jay’elle Narcisse and Amari Johnson; her dearest friend, Carol McNelty and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, loved ones, and many friends including The Mount Church Family.
Homegoing Services were held Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Greater Victory Baptist Church; entombment at Cypress View Mausoleum. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.
