Sadie "Dee" Ethel Roberts

Sadie Ethel Johnson- Roberts, or Dee to her family and friends, was born on July 6th, 1931, in Florence, AZ, the daughter of Oscar Tolbert Johnson and Mary Ellen (Minton) Johnson-Easterly. She grew up in Arizona with her sister, Marie. On July 24th, 1948, she married her best friend, Reverend Robert Roberts in Phoenix, AZ. Together they would share 67 years of service to God, memories, laughter, tears and life. They also raised a family of three children, David, Nila, and Diane. Dee never was one to sit down and watch the world roll by. She worked tirelessly, first and foremost as a daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, but also as a Minister’s wife in New Mexico, as a Real Estate Broker in Seattle, and Norman, OK, working for NASA in Houston, operated a diaper service under the name of “Tidy Didy,” and refinished fine furniture. The family moved to Tahlequah, OK in 1975, and it was here Dee returned to college, and while at NSU, obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management in 1983. She then worked at Western Hills Lodge in Reservations. Dee loved exploring new avenues of artistic expression, and began painting landscapes and wildlife. She was an avid youth worker, and set up camps for the church. Dee was soft spoken, with a kind and thoughtful demeanor, but had the determination required to get the job done right. Her eyes twinkled when she was around her favorite people in the whole world, her grandkids. She was happy and upbeat, always took time to hear you talk, and possessed a very dry yet funny sense of humor. There was nothing she enjoyed more than keeping up with all of her grandkids activities. Her husband passed from this life in 2015. She remained with her family, making memories and enjoying celebrating God’s love in her life. The Lord called this good and faithful servant home from her many labors on August 12th, 2021 in Tahlequah, OK. She was 90 years old and will be cherished always.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, her Mom and Dad, her husband Robert, her sister Marie Grout and brother-in-law Owen Grout, and her grandson, Kevin Roberts in 2017.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Reverend David Roberts and wife Deanne of Tahlequah, Nila Cummins and husband Nelson of Tahlequah, OK, and Diane Ray and husband Gary of Corinth, TX. She lives on in her three grandchildren, Shannan Roberts of Texarkana, Shauna William and husband Chris of Arlington, Washington, and Sherry Lingbeck and husband Kendall of Tahlequah, OK. She also leaves six great grandchildren, Blake Roberts, Tiffany Taylor and husband Casey of Tailholt, OK, Breanna Lingbeck, Megan Lingbeck, Trenton Roberts, and Cole Williams and wife Hannah of Arlington, WA. Her four great great grandchildren include Reese Taylor, Reid Taylor, Scarlett Taylor, and James Lingbeck as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones far too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Sadie E. “Dee” Roberts will be held on Friday, August 13th, 2021 at 2:30 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Reverend David Roberts officiating. Her family will have a visitation for Dee beginning at 10:00 AM until service time, also on Friday. Pallbearers for Dee include Blake Roberts, Shannan Roberts and Trenton Roberts. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Reverend Robert Roberts at Price Cemetery. Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com.