Lee Esther Roberts

­The Life of “Queen Lee Esther”

“Who c­an find a virtuous woman? For her price is above rubies.

  She openenth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

                                                   Proverbs 31:10, 26,28

January 29,1927, Sister Lee Esther Roberts was born the only child to the Late Beulah Dennis-Thomas and Maurice Gustian in Meeker Louisiana. After graduating from Peabody Magnet High School in Alexandria, Louisiana she relocated to Oakdale, Louisiana residing with her grandparents the Late William and Martha Larry. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by Rev. Vannie Brown at St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church.

On November 26, 1946, Lee Esther was joined in holy matrimony to the Late Earlie Andrew Roberts Jr. Their union was blessed with ten tenacious children: Martha (deceased), Dianne, Lucille, Earlie III, John, Wayne, Eddie, Debbie, Maude, Sheila, and a grandson they raised as their son: George.

Lee Esther, affectionately called, Bigmama and Queen Esther, played several roles within her community. She, served as the President of the Missionary Board, Secretary of the Deaconess, choir member, and lead cook at St. Peter Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. G.C. Jacob, Dr. Fred Jacob, Rev. Nelson Swallow, Rev. L.K. Smith, and Rev. Gregory D. Craig, until her health began to decline. To sum it all up, her price would be far above rubies.

Queen Esther was a diligent worker and caretaker. She was employed at the Oberlin Head Start, Allen Oaks Nursing Home, St. Frances Nursing Home, and worked until retirement at Allen Council on Aging.

Bigmama, was the pillar of her community. She welcomed everyone into her home ensuring they were well-fed and treated with love and kindness. Bigmama, was the oldest resident of Ol’ Forest and played the role of second mother, grandmother, and confidant to many.

Here lies a virtuous woman, full of wisdom and kindness; a beloved wife and a wonderful mother, not only to her family, but to all who knew her. She was a real giver and Christian woman who lived the Christian’s life by precept and example.

On July 29, 2021, with family at her side, Queen Lee departed this life to dwell with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents: Beulah D. Thomas, Maurice Gustian and Earl Thomas; loving husband: Earlie Andrew Roberts Jr.; cherished daughter:

Martha Raye Roberts; beloved son: Vernell Mitchell, and a host of family and friends.

Bigmama leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Dianne Mitchell Powder Springs, GA, Lucille Smith Oakdale, LA, Earlie Andrew Roberts III (Michele) Douglasville, GA, John Henry Roberts Austell, GA, Wayne Hudson Roberts (Lisa) Dallas, GA, Eddie Roberts (Ina) Weilrod, Germany, Debbie Elaine Pelican (Arden) Oakdale, LA, Maude E. Foster Oakdale, LA, Sheila Renee Pinkston (Alphonso) Oakdale, LA, George Lyndell Roberts (Wenona) Alpharetta, GA;  23 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, many generations of family and friends.

                              Grandchildren:

Milton Louis Mitchell                    Roderick Earl Johnson

Anthony Brian Johnson                 Christopher Orenthal James

Earlie Andre Roberts                     Eddie Roberts Jr.

Alvin Ray Smith Jr.                       Robert Dallas Mitchell

Robert Joseph Ford                       Aaron Michael Smith

Rashad Lamar Roberts                  Andrew Lutrelle Pinkston

Tyrone Montell Pinkston               DeAndre Deron Pinkston

Jedidiah Roberts                            Cynthia Michelle Mitchell

Natasha Terrell Smith                    Catrice Monét Smith

Courtney Smith                              Ashley Smith Darr

Dr. Cleresá Rena Roberts              Nastassja Larissa Roberts

                         Khadijah Shantéll Roberts

Brother-in-law: John D. (Jennifer) Roberts of Oakdale, LA

Sister-in-law: Dorothy Mitchell of Baton Rouge, LA

Godchildren: Clarence Larry, Howard Jackson, Tiffany Shaw-Jack

Faithful Caretaker: Hilda Mae Brunson

Extended Family: Delores (James) Baugh, Andrea (Gary) Peters, Chester Christian, Glenda (August) Hayes, Ernestine Pickens-White, Juanita (Richard) Johnson, Christina Allen, Nathan Larry, Robert Walker Sr.

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