Mrs. Roberta Ella Robbs was born in Gaffney on April 23, 1912, to the late Mrs. Edna Morris Burke and Mr. Arthur Stevenson.
In 1929, she married the late Azell Robbs, a union which lasted 57 years. To this union, l6 children were born.
“Ma Birdie” joined Mt. Sinai Baptist Church where she served as ‘Mother of the Church,” a Sunday School teacher, member of the Senior Choir and a member of the Senior Missionary.
Ma Birdie loved her family, church and community. Early in life, she organized a Christmas Savings Club and a Community Missionary to give the young people guidance in the skills of life. She retired from the Cherokee County School system as a cafeteria worker in 1982, and was a faithful member of the Gaffney Senior Centers for over 30 years where she served on the its Senior Choir.
Ma Birdie entered eternal rest on Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Mary Black Health System. She was preceded in by her parents, husband, two sisters, Floree Stevenson and Valerie Kimble, and eleven children including Collossia McDowell.
She leaves to cherish loving memories three sons, Eugene Robbs of Gaffney, Zeotha Hameed (Asmaa) of New Jersey, Charles Smith (Hattie Lou) of Gaffney; three daughters, Mozell Dewberry (John) of Cowpens, Carol McFadden and LaVerne Smith of Gaffney; other children reared in the home, Kelvin Robbs and Dorandes Thompson (Maurice) of Gaffney; 25 grandchildren, 56 greatgrandchildren, 46 greatgreat grandchildren and 1 great-great-great grandchild, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be Saturday, September 5th, 2:00 p.m., in Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. C. A. Wallace officiating. Interment will follow in the Gaffney Memorial Park.
Gilmore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.