Christine Allison Roberts

CHRISTINE ALLISON ROBERTS departed this life on Sunday, May 11, 2014, at the family home on Sussex Drive in Greensville County, Virginia after a lengthy illness. Christine was born on April 12, 1920 to the late Ferdinand Vincent Allison, Sr. and Elizabeth Rae Allison, in the Orion area of Greensville County. She moved to Emporia with her family when she was eight years old. Christine received her formal education in the local public schools and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, VA, and a Master's Degree in School Administration and Supervision from Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. Christine was married to the late Willie "Dinks" Roberts. This union was blessed with two sons, Willie Eugene and Alfred Allison. She faithfully cared for her husband during his extended illness, and was a loving and supportive mother to her "boys". She poured into her sons an enduring sense of faith, family, community, purpose and self-worth. In later years, she shared these same values with her grandchildren. Christine accepted Christ at an early age and attended the Royal Baptist Church, Emporia, VA. After attending St. Paul's College, she moved her church membership to St. James Episcopal Church where she served faithfully as a choir member and leader of the Episcopal Church Women until her illness. Christine devoted over 40 years of dedicated service to Greensville County Public Schools, starting her career in a multi-grade, one-room school house. After many years as a first grade teacher at Greensville County Training School, she finished her career teaching first grade at Emporia Elementary School. She was a caring and nurturing teacher who had a heart and passion for her students who needed her most. Christine was also an active member of the community, giving unselfishly of her time to organizations such as the Community Youth Center, American Red Cross, Meherrin River Arts Council, Virginia and Greensville Education Associations, Greensville Teachers Association Federal Credit Union, Greensville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Democratic Party of Virginia, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Christine was a champion of the local civil rights movement and was especially committed to voter registration and voter participation, ensuring that the voices of all citizens of Greensville-Emporia were heard in local, state, and national elections. Christine is survived by her two sons and a daughter-in-law, W. Eugene Roberts, and Al and Janet Roberts, all of Emporia, VA; three grandchildren, Ross P. Roberts and his wife Cassandra of High Point, NC, Scott A. Roberts and his wife Jennifer of Suitland, MD, and Lauren Roberts Haire and her husband Bryan of Norcross, GA; and one great-granddaughter, Nia Roberts. She is also survived by one sister, Rosie B. Caves of Washington, DC; one sister-in-law, Lovonia E. Allison of Durham, NC; a devoted caregiver, Doreatha Carrington; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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