Joan Marie Clarke Roberts

Joan Marie Clarke Roberts, 73, of Hernando, FL, passed away on Wed., July. 24, 2024, at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital in Inverness, FL. A native of Dayton, OH, she was born Dec. 4, 1950 to Allen H. and Renee (Brue) Clarke, one of four children. Mrs. Roberts was a retired elementary school educator touching the lives of youth for over forty years in Dayton, OH, Pontiac, MI, Lawrence, Mass, New York, NY and White Plains, NY. Joan earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Wright State University in Dayton, OH and then her master’s degree in education from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. Mrs. Roberts moved to Citrus County in 2008 and was a faithful and devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Beverly Hills, FL., and a member of the African American Club of Citrus County, where she served as the Educational Committee Chairperson. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Joan loved to cook; was an avid reader and was preceded in death by her parents and nieces (Lauren Thompson, Mary Paschal, Linda Meadows and Gerry Conward). Joan’s twin sister Jean offers this loving tribute to her sister: “It’s hard to summarize someone’s life in just a few paragraphs, especially when trying to accurately capture Joan’s impact on the world. Since Joan’s passing, I’ve been grappling with how to reflect on her legacy. These thoughts have been on my mind lately; and today, this afternoon, I had a realization: She never did anything wrong! Of course, nobody is perfect, but Joan came pretty close. This is what I think of when I reflect on Joan’s life. I always told friends and family that I couldn’t remember Joan ever doing anything wrong. Joan lived a life of transformed grace. Everyone who knew her from her past witnessed the power of Jesus Christ’s transformative influence on her. She expressed her love for others though hugs, smile, and food. She was always there for those who were unwell or couldn’t help themselves. She truly embodied Christ’s love. For some, she was the closest example of Christ’s unconditional love for us all. Joan Clarke Roberts, daughter of the King, wife to the love of her life John Christopher Roberts, devoted sister, loving mother, the best grandmother and aunt, and a wonderful friend to everyone she met. You’ve finished the race set before you. Now, you’re resting in the arms of our loving Father, Christ the Lord. Rest in Peace, our beloved Joan.” Mrs. Roberts is survived by her loving husband and love of her life, John Christopher Roberts of Hernando, FL; children John Michael Roberts, Miami, FL; Jason Martin Roberts (wife Jennifer), Mason, MI and Kristen Renee Roberts, Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Keira Renee Roberts and Evan Christopher Roberts, both of Mason, MI; Anthony Jackson, Atlanta, GA and Jasmine Michele Roberts, Huntington, NY; twin sister Jean Nelson (husband Kent), Atlanta, GA; sisters Beatrice Hofman, Jacksonville, FL and Renee Celeste Clarke, San Antonio, FL ,sister-in-law Mary Durham, Stoughton, MA, nephews James Nixon (Nicole) Frisco, TX, William Paschal (Rose), Steven Paschal (Grace), Richard Paschal (Debbie), Darnley Corbin, Daniel Durham (Rhonda), Boston, MA and nieces Nicole Nixon Atlanta, GA, Denise Washington, Boston, MA and Emily Cadogan (Al), Raleigh, NC. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tues., Aug. 6, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Beverly Hills, FL with Fr. Erwin Belgica, Celebrant. Friends and family will be received in New York on Thurs., Aug. 8, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at R. Stutzmann and Son Funeral Home, Queens, NY, with a Catholic Prayer Service at 7:00 P.M. Burial and Catholic Rite of Committal will take place on Fri., Aug. 9, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Charles/Resurrection Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY. In lieu of flowers, Joan’s family has requested memorial contributions be made in her memory to African American Club of Citrus County, P.O. Box 641103, Beverly Hills, Florida 34464.

Services entrusted to Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills, Florida and R. Stutzmann and Son Funeral Home, Queens, New York.