of Little Rock, AR
June 3, 1937 - November 30, 2020
Janis Carol Roberts died at home from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma on November 30, 2020. She was 83 years old. The family would like to thank her doctors, nurses and caregivers who enabled her to stay in her home.
Janis was born to Floyd and Ella Osborn Kizzia on June 3, 1937 in Delight Arkansas. She graduated from Delight High School in 1955 and Henderson State University in 1958. Shewas preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Don R. Roberts, her parents, Floyd and Ella Kizzia, her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and David Sullivan and her niece Laurie Sullivan. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jan was a home economics teacher and homemaker. She and Don were a powerful team and made an impact in the field of education in all the places they taught and where Don was the Superintendent. They began in Welch, Louisiana and Weston, Oregon before returning to Little Rock in 1968. They also served in Newport News, Virginia, Amarillo, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas.
In each of these places, Jan's support for Don was invaluable. She entertained colleagues and dignitaries, attended school events of all kinds and extended her southern hospitality to all. A career highlight for both of them came in 2010 when the Little Rock School District named its newest school Don Roberts Elementary. Jan was a favorite at Roberts elementary from then on. She supported the school with luncheons for the teachers, visits, and was a friend to the educators there.
Jan was a warm, wonderful mother to her three children. Don R. Roberts Jr. (Sandy) Jon Roberts (Melanie) and Susan Robbins (John). She was a fun-loving and devoted Mimi to seven grandchildren, Rachel Sitler (Collin) Lauren Roberts, Sam Robbins (Hannah), Carly Allen (Terence), Jake Roberts, Erica Roberts and Camryn Roberts. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, Eric, Parker, Olivia, Jackson and Sam. She was an aunt to many nieces and nephews
Jan was a life-long United Methodist and a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Throughout her life, wherever she lived, she joined a United Methodist church and became an active member. She taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible school, served UMYF snack suppers, helped with an infant formula program, knitted prayer shawls and served on the altar guild.
Jan was a wonderful cook and was well known for her peanut brittle which she made on a marble slab every Christmas and shared with so many. Her love for her family, her hospitality to their friends and her many friends, her stories, and her sense of humor will be her lasting legacy.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 3 at Roller-Chenal funeral home from 4-8 p.m. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 4 at 11 am at the Delight Cemetery in Delight, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the general operating fund at First United Methodist Church, Little Rock or to the PTA at Don R. Roberts Elementary School. We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor funeral and visitation attendance to 50 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering.
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19 Condolence(s)
Mark and Jane Meadows
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Mrs. Roberts was a wonderful neighbor. We will miss her kind presence.
Misti Sims
Friday, December 4, 2020
Blessed to have met a wonderful and wise woman. I will miss her surprise visits, the curl of her sweet smile, and warm hugs. Truly enjoyed how she opened her home to our small “group visits†as we sat back w/ our legs crossed & listened as she shared family stories of her children and grands, (She loved her family dearly.) took us down memory lane as a little girl in Delight as we laughed uncontrollably, as well as shared rich history of Dr. Roberts’ educational journey w/ her right by his side every step of the way. Such a rich legacy and a beautiful woman of strength & love for all people w/ a genuine heart. My sincere condolences & prayers to the Roberts family!
Jane Dunn
Friday, December 4, 2020
Loved this wonderful lady so much. Her smile would light up a room all by itself, and when she saw Don across the room, you could see the love in her eyes. So thankful our time at HSU included both of them.
Carolyn Davis
Friday, December 4, 2020
Jan was such a sweet friend.
My heartfelt condolences go to her precious family.
Carolyn Davis
Kathleen McMurray
Friday, December 4, 2020
Lifting up prayers for the family in this difficult time. May you be surrounded in comfort and strength.
Pat Alardin Kotlewski
Thursday, December 3, 2020
So sorry about your loss, Thoughts and prayers to you.
Rick and Sandy Lewis and Vicki Cederburg
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Mimi was such a nice person-we loved seeing her when we would come down to visit. She was such a gentle soul who had such interesting stories. Our prayers and condolences go out to her family and everyone who knew her because she will be greatly missed by all.
Joe Osborn
Thursday, December 3, 2020
We're missing Jan already in Texas.
Christa Lawrence-Masters
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Dearest Susan and family, I am keeping you all in my prayers. Jan was such a delight from Delight😊. I loved her so much. She was a bright light that I will always hold dear in my heart. ~ Christa
Mike and Cathy Bermel
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Don, Sam, Carly & Camryn,
Our deepest sympathies for your family’s loss. Gods peace to you all. Prayers for you in the coming days.🙠luv Mike and Cathy
Connie Hawley
Thursday, December 3, 2020
I met Jan and know her best as Carly and Cam’s Mimi. She loved Don so much and was very proud of the dad \husband he had become.
She will be greatly missed. May each of you feel God’s grace during this time of grieving.
Love the Hawley family.
PS - thanks for sharing Mimi with us!
DeWayne Perry
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Mrs. Roberts was like a mom to me, every time I seen her she had a smile on her face she was a wonderful mother. She’s going to be missed especially by us guys at the dealership we really love when she came around especially around the holidays we knew when she came she was bringing us something sweet to eat. She made the best brittle that I’ve ever had. Jon would always hide the Peanut brittles that she would make for us.
Mary Hubmann
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
I know you feel grief - It is a time precious memories come to mind. Prayers for your family...
Marta Pogribna
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Mrs. Jan was our dearest neighbor, warm, friendly, helpful, with a great sense of humor. It is hard to imagine her not being here, in the house right across from ours, not to say hello, not to stop by for a chat. We will sorely miss her. Our sincere condolences go to her family. Rest in peace, dear Mrs. Jan.
Paul Burton
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time, I was very fortunate to know her and the family. A kinder soul you won't find may she rest in peace.
Mary Ann Campbell
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Jan was like her home town, a true "Delight." I cherish our friendship and am grateful for the fun times we had together. May you, her family, feel God's grace in your grief. She was a gift to all of us and will be missed.
Barbara Anderson
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Mrs. Roberts was like family to me. From the moment I met her in her home after being named the principal of Roberts Elementary, I knew she was special. She was a true friend of the school and a support of strength for me as I opened the school. We stayed friends even after I retired from the school. Her sense of humor and funny stories about Dr. Don will remain some of my favorite memories of all time. I will miss her greatly. I pray God will offer her family and strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Mike McLean
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Travel well Aunt Jan. You will be missed.
Shelly Stacker
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Mrs. Roberts was a wonderful person. So warm and thoughtful. I will miss her. Prayers go out to her family.