Bessie L. Roberts

Newport, RI - Bessie L. Walker Roberts, 84, of 98 Kay Street, Newport, RI, died Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI.She was the wife of the late Charles L. Roberts, Sr. a police officer in Millburn N.J. Born in Newport, RI on September 30, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Sarah Jackson Walker. For 21years, Mrs. Roberts worked as a sales person for Bloomingdales at the Short Hills Mall in N.J. before retiring in Newport. She was a member of Community Baptist Church where she once served as the treasurer of the Laurence Dunbar Club.Once in Newport, she worked at the Edward King House Senior Center, the New Visions for Newport County, and the Newport School Department through a Self Help job training program. She enjoyed being a member of the Recycled Teenagers, a senior citizens club at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. Miss Bessie, as she was affectionately called, loved reading, selling tickets to various events and calling bingo at the Edward King House. She was nominated for the Community Service Award in 1996. She was an old school Newporter. She refused to drive past One Mile Corner. She is survived by her sons, Charles L. Roberts, Jr. of Newport, RI, and Barry L. Roberts of the Bronx, NY, and her sisters Sarah Pener and Eleanor Keyes of Newport, RI and two grandchildren, Aton M. Roberts and Sean Paul Roberts. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 12:00 pm in the Community Baptist Church, 50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport , RI.At the request of the family, the Burial cermony will be private.Donations in her memory may be made to Community Baptist Church Building Fund.Condolences, information and directions available at www.memorialfuneralhome.comor charlesroberts@att.net.