Lillian Yates Roberts

Mrs. Lillian Yates Roberts, age 86, of Sandersville, entered into the rest of our Lord on December 4, 2012 following an extended illness. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, at 2:00pm at the Sisters Baptist Church with burial in the Brownwood Cemetery in Sandersville. Rev. Ronnie Duncan and Rev. Bert Parker will officiate. Pallbearers will be Cliff Roberts, Marvin Webster, Bruce Yates, Allen Yates, Evan Yates, Lee Massey, J.M. Brantley and Eric Brantley. Honorary pallbearers will be the Philethia Sunday School Class of Sisters Baptist Church and the staff members of Hospice Advantage.

Mrs. Roberts was born September 3, 1926 the daughter of the late Luther Edison Yates and Francis Cornelia Eddy Yates. She reared in Macon where she graduated from Lanier Junior High School and A.L. Miller Girls High School. She worked in the Civil Service at Robbins Air Force Base and later as a nurse at the former Macon Hospital, now M.C.C.G. She moved to Washington County in 1966 and married the late Leo “Sambo” Roberts. Mrs. Roberts was a faithful and active member of the Sisters Baptist Church for over 40 years. She was employed by the Playhouse Nursery from 1978 to 2008, where she was lovingly known to many as “Mama Lillian.” In July of 2005, she was recognized by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce as the Teacher of the Month for her outstanding care, devotion and service to the children of Washington County. Mrs. Roberts is predeceased by her daughter, Pamela Marie Johnson Glover; her sister, Dora Muriel Emma Yates Massey; and her brother, David Luther Yates.

Survivors are: her son Joseph B. (Glenda Ruth C.) Johnson of Riddleville, a daughter, Ginger Wicker-Powers, of Gray; a step-daughter, Bobbi (J.M.) Brantley, of Sandersville; step-sons, William “Buddy” (Jimmy Elaine) Roberts, of Dublin, and Sammy (Patsy) Roberts of Atlanta; a brother, Clarence Lee (Bobbie) Yates of Eatonton; a sister-in-law, Patricia J. Yates, of Macon; a son-in-law, David Glover, of Milledgeville; five grandchildren, Marvin Graham (Ursula J.) Webster of Cumming, Clifford Leo (Holley M.) Roberts of Milledgeville, Lacey Victoria JoLynn and Theo Joseph Yonah Johnson of Riddleville, and Christian Jacob Powers of Gray; and three great-grandchildren, Sierra Elizabeth Webster, Ansley Virginia and Clifford “Ford “Roberts; nephews, Lee (Susan D.) Massey, Bruce Yates, Allen Yates, Evan Yates; and a niece, Karen Yates (Mark) Coleman.

The family will be at the Roberts residence, 826 Betty Street, in Sandersville and they will receive friends on Thursday from 6 to 8pm at the May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville.

Donations may be made to the Sisters Baptist Church, 1807 E. McCarty St. Sandersville, GA 31082 or to the Sandersville Gideon’s, P.O. Box 891, Sandersville, GA 31082 or to TeamSummer.org.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.