Obituary for Cleo Roberts
May 23, 2020, Cleo Roberts held on as long as she could for the love of her life Oscar Roberts, her children, grandchildren, brother, nieces and nephews. God saw her and did what He knew best. He put His arms around her and whispered, “I’ve got you now. You can come on home and rest.”
Cleo (Morris) Roberts was born on November 18, 1928, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to John and Annie M. (Meredith) Morris. She was the fourth of eight children. She attended Battle Creek Public Schools, graduating from Battle Creek Central High School.
Cleo’s first marriage to Pete Berry ended in divorce. Her first born, Lucille Ann, was born from this marriage. On June 9, 1951 Cleo was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Oscar Roberts in Savannah, Georgia. Three children were born to this union. Oscar Roberts, Jr. (deceased), Patricia Ann (Roberts) Desamours and Gregory Morris Roberts.
Cleo had a huge heart for giving and was, in many ways a professional volunteer. She was any organization’s “dream” volunteer, excelling at organizing and fund-raising.
Cleo received numerous awards, certificates and accolades from the many organizations in which she served:
• Board of Directors of the Battle Creek Urban League
• First Black woman elected President of the Battle Creek Symphony Women’s Club
• Member of the National Association of Police Relations Officers (NAPCRO)
• Member of the Battle Creek Police Community Relations Advisory Committee
• Trustee and volunteer for Calhoun County Michigan Community Mental Health
• Community Service Award for Battle Creek National Association, Negro Business and Professional Women, Inc. For Outstanding Contributions for Community Services.
• Member and Volunteer of Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA, Inc.- Local 110
• Crusader Citation for helping to strengthen the fight against cancer. She was a volunteer and fund raiser
• Recognized by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America for holding the position of a state elected officer. As a state officer she helped Calhoun County receive much-needed funds for the local organization
• 1990 George Award Winner
Cleo never stopped thinking of the needs of others. After learning about the power of essential oils, she was in her eighties when she went to school and became a certified massage therapist. She said she did it so she could share the oils with “old people”.
Cleo was the Matriarch of the Morris Clan. She kept up with her family; children, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews and all of her “grands”. If you wanted to know who was advancing on their job, what college someone was attending or just where someone was traveling to in the world (It was always hard for us to keep up with Karen), just ask Aunt Cleo. Cleo was also an avid traveler. One of her favorite places was Jamaica where she traveled with her daughters.
Cleo was also a savvy Bridge player. It was one of her favorite pastimes. In her prime, she played Bridge a couple of times a week. When she played, she seemed to know every card her opponent held. She was an excellent player.
Cleo leaves to cherish her memory, Husband, Oscar Roberts; Son, Gregory Morris Roberts, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Daughters, Lucille Ann (Kaiser) Braham, Clinton, Maryland; Patricia Ann Desamours, Atlanta, Georgia, Brother, John Elwood Morris, Tampa, Florida; Nieces, Charlene Juanita Cribbs, Atlanta, Georgia, Yvonne Anita Cribbs, Battle Creek, Michigan; Grandsons, Gregory Morris Roberts, Jr; Ricky Roberts; Damon Anthony Camp; Devon Roberts; Adrian Roberts; Granddaughters, Brittany Gail Lewis; Amanda Roberts; Great-Grandson’s, Michael Roberts; Elijah Roberts; Isaiah Roberts; Legend Roberts; Great-Granddaughters; Lyric Roberts; Jayda Roberts; Alliona Roberts; Sky Roberts and a host of nephews and nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by both parents; Son, Oscar Roberts, Jr.; Brothers, AC Morris; John Morris; Ward Edgar Morris; Sisters, Lucille (Morris) Cribbs; Shirley Ann Morris; Joyce Gertrude (Morris) Jordan; Grandsons, Shane Roberts; and Michael Roberts.
Cleo (Morris) Roberts was born on November 18, 1928, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to John and Annie M. (Meredith) Morris. She was the fourth of eight children. She attended Battle Creek Public Schools, graduating from Battle Creek Central High School.
Cleo’s first marriage to Pete Berry ended in divorce. Her first born, Lucille Ann, was born from this marriage. On June 9, 1951 Cleo was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Oscar Roberts in Savannah, Georgia. Three children were born to this union. Oscar Roberts, Jr. (deceased), Patricia Ann (Roberts) Desamours and Gregory Morris Roberts.
Cleo had a huge heart for giving and was, in many ways a professional volunteer. She was any organization’s “dream” volunteer, excelling at organizing and fund-raising.
Cleo received numerous awards, certificates and accolades from the many organizations in which she served:
• Board of Directors of the Battle Creek Urban League
• First Black woman elected President of the Battle Creek Symphony Women’s Club
• Member of the National Association of Police Relations Officers (NAPCRO)
• Member of the Battle Creek Police Community Relations Advisory Committee
• Trustee and volunteer for Calhoun County Michigan Community Mental Health
• Community Service Award for Battle Creek National Association, Negro Business and Professional Women, Inc. For Outstanding Contributions for Community Services.
• Member and Volunteer of Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA, Inc.- Local 110
• Crusader Citation for helping to strengthen the fight against cancer. She was a volunteer and fund raiser
• Recognized by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America for holding the position of a state elected officer. As a state officer she helped Calhoun County receive much-needed funds for the local organization
• 1990 George Award Winner
Cleo never stopped thinking of the needs of others. After learning about the power of essential oils, she was in her eighties when she went to school and became a certified massage therapist. She said she did it so she could share the oils with “old people”.
Cleo was the Matriarch of the Morris Clan. She kept up with her family; children, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews and all of her “grands”. If you wanted to know who was advancing on their job, what college someone was attending or just where someone was traveling to in the world (It was always hard for us to keep up with Karen), just ask Aunt Cleo. Cleo was also an avid traveler. One of her favorite places was Jamaica where she traveled with her daughters.
Cleo was also a savvy Bridge player. It was one of her favorite pastimes. In her prime, she played Bridge a couple of times a week. When she played, she seemed to know every card her opponent held. She was an excellent player.
Cleo leaves to cherish her memory, Husband, Oscar Roberts; Son, Gregory Morris Roberts, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Daughters, Lucille Ann (Kaiser) Braham, Clinton, Maryland; Patricia Ann Desamours, Atlanta, Georgia, Brother, John Elwood Morris, Tampa, Florida; Nieces, Charlene Juanita Cribbs, Atlanta, Georgia, Yvonne Anita Cribbs, Battle Creek, Michigan; Grandsons, Gregory Morris Roberts, Jr; Ricky Roberts; Damon Anthony Camp; Devon Roberts; Adrian Roberts; Granddaughters, Brittany Gail Lewis; Amanda Roberts; Great-Grandson’s, Michael Roberts; Elijah Roberts; Isaiah Roberts; Legend Roberts; Great-Granddaughters; Lyric Roberts; Jayda Roberts; Alliona Roberts; Sky Roberts and a host of nephews and nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by both parents; Son, Oscar Roberts, Jr.; Brothers, AC Morris; John Morris; Ward Edgar Morris; Sisters, Lucille (Morris) Cribbs; Shirley Ann Morris; Joyce Gertrude (Morris) Jordan; Grandsons, Shane Roberts; and Michael Roberts.