Geraldine Roberts Ph.D

Geraldine Dukes Roberts Ph.D, 86, passed away Fri. Sept. 27, 2019 at her home in Brandon, MS. Visitation will be held on Sun. Sept. 29, 2019 from 2pm-5pm and on Mon. Sept. 30, 2019 from 10am-10:45am at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 11am on Mon. Sept. 30, 2019 at the Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Brandon, MS with burial to follow in the Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl, MS.

Geraldine lost her fight with Parkinson's and complications related to Parkinson’s. She was a gracious and loving mother and an inspiration to those who knew her. She deeply loved her family, her church family, and her Eastern Star family.

She loved to teach. In the 1970s, she taught high school mathematics at McCluer and Jim Hill High School. After earning her PhD in education in 1984, she was a professor at Jackson State University and Belhaven College. She was given the title of Faculty Emeritus at Belhaven College.

Geraldine proudly served in many roles with her Eastern Star brothers and sisters. She holds the titles of Past Grand Matron and Grand Treasurer Emeritus.

In 2005, she won Ms. Senior Mississippi and enjoyed competing in the Ms. Senior America Pageant.

Music was always a part of her life, and for the last 27 years, she sang and played piano at Sardis Baptist Church. She was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Mrs. Roberts was born in Smith County, MS on Dec. 27, 1932 to the late John Brantley Dukes Sr. and Ora Betty Arender Dukes.

She is survived by her son, Steven S. Roberts (Elaine); two daughters, Patricia “Patty” R. Shaw (Arno) and Teresa Roberts Oostenbrug (Joel); four grandchildren, Justin Shaw (Brandy), Felicia Shaw McGough (Adam), Kathryn “Katy” O. Willingham (Nathanael “Nate”) and David K. Oostenbrug; seven great grandchildren, Trinity Hodges, Brooke Shaw, McKayla McGraw, Sam McGough, Castiel McGough, Riley McGough and Benjamin Hayse Willingham; three sisters, Shirley D. Lewis, Elizabeth “Libby” D. Bellah and Carol D. Duke and a brother, Robert E. Dukes (Ann). Mrs. Roberts is also preceded in death by her husband, Maxie “Sam” S. Roberts; grandchild, Steven “Sam” S. Roberts Jr.; sister, Alene Dukes Styron and a brother, John “J.B.” Brantley Dukes Jr.