Roberta Brooks Shearin

Of Takoma Park, Maryland, peacefully April 20, 2024, in Rockville, Maryland. Born in Washington, D.C., on October 2, 1924, to the late Dr. Ulysses S. Brooks, professor emeritus, Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), and Marzette Tate Brooks. She was the eldest of two children. In 2020, her sister – Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Brooks preceded her in death. During the volatile 1960s, her mother Marzette Tate Brooks was president of the Charlotte NC branch of the NAACP. In 1947, she met and married the love of her life – the handsome and dashing U.S. Army Lt. William “Bill” G. Shearin, Sr., and they were married in Marshal Texas. They had William “Bill” Shearin, Jr., (Ernestine) and Moneta Marzette Shearin-Howland in that union. Bill Sr. preceded her in death in 1989. As her family traveled in connection with her father’s various teaching assignments, she was educated at Englewood High School-Chicago, IL, Alice Freeman Palmer Memorial Institute – Sedalia, NC, Spelman College-Atlanta, GA., Johnson C. Smith University – Charlotte, NC, and Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University) in Atlanta, GA., where she earned a Master’s degree in Library Science. While at JCSU, she was one of 11 women who chartered the Gamma Lambda chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She was the chapter’s very first vice president. Later, the family moved to Washington, DC, and in 1975, moved to Takoma Park Maryland until her passing. She was employed for over 30 years as a U.S. Department of Defense librarian. She was the “Google” of the time whereby military leadership depended upon her for research concerning various military objectives. In the 1975 hit movie “Jaws” she is credited with research. Roberta’s busy life while helping to raise two children, included, volunteering with “Meals on Wheels”, membership in the DC chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, JCSU Alumni Assn., Tots and Teens Inc., Metropolitan AME Church Class Leader’s Council; Sunday School; Women’s Day Committee and the Celestial Choir where she served as President. She joined the Tabor Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, where her children were baptized. In 1969, she joined the Metropolitan AME church in Washington, DC. She was a faithful member under the Pastorate of Rev. Frank Madison Reid, Jr. (Bishop). She was noted for leading “Jesus Is The Light Of The World”. She loved animals and had many pet cats and dogs which she loved. She loved flowers – roses being her favorite. Roberta “Bobbie” was a very loving and caring person and cherished being surrounded by family. She sought to always find the best in each person she encountered. Never an ill word. “Servant of God well done”. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children – William G. Shearin, Jr., (Ernestine) Rocky Mount, NC, Moneta Marzette Shearin-Howland of the home, – Grandchildren - Dr. Deneta Howland-Sells (Bryan) of Atlanta, Ga., Dennis Howland, II, (Tasha) of Glenn Dale, Md, Juanita Howland-Greene (Richard) E. Orange, NJ, Christina Howland (Ulrick)-Houston Tx, Great grandchildren Lena Greene, Amber Greene, - Peyton Howland, Dennis William Howland, Davis Howland, Sarah Elizabeth Sells, Phoenix Ulcenat, Ulrick Wayne Ulcenat Nieces and nephews - Adrian Kendall, Cheryl Strayhorne, Cynthia Walker-Pinzon (Ricardo), Marian Spencer-Shearin, Reverend Father Phillip H. Shearin, Sylvia Shearin-Willis, Verita Mason-Frempong, Davida Mason-Arnold (Shaka)Victoria Shearin-Lawson (James), Marsha Jones-Shearin (Perushia), Clinton Shearin, Jr. (Kristal) - Special friends – Clinton Jordan, Dennis Howland Sr., Precious Arthur-Tate, Patience Singleton-Roach, Esq., Fannie Corley, Marsha Corley, Dr. Jacqueline Moore, Douglas Kemp, Maynard Holliday, Godson-Kelvin Hammond, and other family and friends.

Services entrusted to Fort Lincoln Cemetery and Funeral Home, Inc.

Services 05/21/2024 Metropolitan AME Church 1518 M St. NW

Washington, DC

Delta Sigma Theta Omega Omega Services