Roberta Star Hartman

The eldest daughter of James William Mullings, Jr., and Mary Elizabeth Minnick Mullings, Roberta was born in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 23, 1945.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her former husband and dear friend James J. Hartman, of Clinton; sister, Sharon Collins (Noble), of Irmo; children Rev. James Hartman, Jr., of Baton Rouge, LA; David Hartman, Esq., of Greenville, SC; and Elizabeth Hartman Smith (Daniel) – who should be sainted – of Irmo, SC; and her five grandchildren, Calvin Smith of Clinton, Collin Smith of Irmo, James “J.P” Hartman and Robert “Bobby” Hartman, both of Greenville; and Cordelia Smith, of Irmo.

A free thinker, a nurturer, and a devoted disciple of Christ, Roberta completed her nursing degree at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., in 1968. She married Lt. James Hartman (U.S. Army) in 1969, and put aside her nursing career to be a full-time mother from 1970-1982, when she returned to nursing in obstetrics.

In 1984, she moved the family from Washington to Columbia, SC, where her children excelled in school and extracurriculars. She started her own floral business, striving for several years before returning to health education and nursing. At age 44, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration at Columbia College, attending classes while working and raising her children. Before retiring, Roberta worked in the non-profit sector in both teen pregnancy prevention and cancer prevention.

She always said that her proudest accomplishments were her children, and she maintained a positive relationship with their father long after their divorce in 1983. She befriended his second wife, Teresa Hartman, and dubbed her the “wife-in-law”; Teresa also passed in 2026.

Roberta taught the adult women’s Dorcas Class at Riverland Hills Baptist Church for more than 30 years, inspiring countless families in their Christian faith. Her devotion to the next generations exceeded her own children and grandchildren, and she eagerly served as a surrogate mom to Tiffany Crocker Favati (Ric), R.N., of Chapin, and as a stand-in grandmother to her eldest son’s adopted children, Dominick Martorelli of Boise, Idaho, and the late Ethan Blouin, of Hammond, Louisiana.

She led service crusades and donations for local domestic violence shelters, among other causes, and was a charitable leader for all in need. She participated in multiple mission trips to South America, and well into her 60s engaged in secretive efforts taking Christian teaching materials to Muslim states in Africa, causing her children much worry.

In addition to her family, Roberta leaves behind a legacy of tremendous grace. That’s all she would have wanted.

Her family thanks the staff of Prisma Hospice, in particular Carmella White, Dr. Karin Jenkins, Joye Jones, Cheryl Scavarda, and LouEllen Benton, for the exemplary care they provided in the final months of her earthly life.

A memorial service will be held at Riverland Hills Baptist Church, 201 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo, SC, at a later date. In her death as in her life, all will be welcome. Disposition of her remains will be private.