Margaret Ann Roberts departed her earthly life quietly in Gulfport, Mississippi surrounded by her
family on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Margaret was born in Huntsville, Alabama to Herbert Warner and
Jessie Mae Warner Johnson. At an early age her family moved to Bemerton, Washington where her father
worked as a Merchant Marine. After several years in Bremerton, the family moved to Akron, Ohio to be
close to her Aunt and await the arrival of her sister.

Margaret attended Robinson Elementary, Spicer Elementary, Jennings Middle School and North High
School. At North High School she developed her love for reading while she was employed at the North
Branch Library. She continued this love for reading while she was employed at the North Branch
Library. She continued this love while working at the Summit County Library in the Children’s Room
during College. Margaret graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Elementary Education. After College, she was assigned to Robinson Elementary School where she taught
Kindergarten. Later she was assigned to teach Kindergarten at Ritzman and Thomastown Elementary
Schools. Margaret finished her teaching career of 36 years at McEbright Elementary School teaching
reading. While at McEbright she became a trained Reading Recovery teacher by the Reading Department
at The Ohio State University. Margaret was voted Teacher of the year by her peers at McEbright
Elementary School. Margaret was also selected as a Jennings Scholar and received a permanent teaching
certificate from the Ohio Department of Education. Margaret also served on the Adolescent Literacy
Board for the Ohio Department of Education.

After retirement, Margaret continued on the journey to have children become lifelong learners. She
continued working as a private tutor for young children. She became a Reading Coach for K-3 teachers
in 21 Akron Public Schools and a Reading Coach for teachers in 2 middle schools. She held the position
of K-1 Trainer for Akron Public Schools. She instructed teachers, college professors, and charter school
teachers in the Akron community and surrounding school districts in reading strategies for K-3 and
adolescent literacy 4-12 that was developed by the Ohio Department of Education (SIRI). She was
employed by the Office of Curriculum Instruction, Office of School Improvement, Kent State Urban
Initiative through the Jennings Foundation. Margaret attended countless reading conferences and was
exposed to many national speakers on reading strategies. After working for the Akron Public Schools
and the Ohio Department of Education, Margaret was hired by the Summit Education Initiative
University Partnership to serve as the literacy coach and recruiter for SPARK to serve age 3 through 5
year old families in designated school districts. Margaret’s responsibility was to coach SPARK (Parent
Partners) teachers in literacy skills and increase the number of school district participants. At her
retirement, the number of school districts participating increased from 2 to 9 districts.

Margaret was initiated in the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc in 1961. Her
line was the first line initiated under the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She held numerous positions within the Chapter including, Committee Chairperson, Treasurer,
Vice-President and President. Margaret’s mission was to develop a non-profit charitable organization
(The Minerva Fund of Akron) that would benefit the Akron community. She served as the first and only
President of the organization until the time of her death. Margaret also served as the Director of SCONS,
a Head Start Program for families in Summit County.

Margaret’s spiritual journey and relationship with God began when she enrolled her children in Zion
Lutheran School for Kindergarten and First Grade. Margaret was a member of Zion Lutheran Church
for over 53 years. She and her children attended Zion Lutheran School, Sunday School, and they were
baptized there. After baptism, she was encouraged to attend an intensive Bible Study. Thus began her
prayer to God to walk in His ways and to always be pleasing in His eyes. This was her consistent prayer.
Margaret was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and was a willing servant on many committees
including, the Nominating Committee, the By-Laws Community, the Outreach Committee, The Call
Team, The Altar Guild, and was a Communion Assistant.

Margaret loved to shop and was always immaculate in her appearance. She also loved to travel to New
York to see Broadway plays and to spend time with her family there. Her favorite trip was to South
Africa. She also traveled to Switzerland, England and she enjoyed a boat ride down the Seine River to
Paris. Margaret loved to travel throughout the United States, but her favorite place on earth was Hilton
Head Island, South Carolina, where she enjoyed time with friends and family. Margaret was a caregiver
to many including her Mother, Cousin, Aunt and Sister.

Margaret was a woman of God, a loving daughter, sister and friend. Her proudest accomplishments
include, Marrying her boyfriend whom she met in 11th grade, the birth of her children, her son being
selected to read with children in higher grades, each time her children were selected for Such as The
Child of God Award at Zion Lutheran School, her son receiving the Manhood Award from St. Vincent
St. Mary’s High School, her husband graduating from The University of Akron and receiving his
Master’s degree, her children graduating from college, and continuing on for higher education, her
husband getting his first principal assignment and moving further into Administration, and her
daughter becoming a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the birth of her
grandchildren, when she and her husband received the keys to the OWNERS CLUB HOUSE in Hilton
Head and being able to celebrate 50 years of marriage. She truly felt she had come full circle. She will be
remembered as a person who wanted peace, harmony, and caring so that everyone could grow and reach
their full potential.

Margaret leaves to cherish her memory her teenage sweetheart and husband of 63 years Richard Marvin
Roberts; children Richard Todd Roberts (Janice Cook), and Lori Beth Al Amin; grandchildren,
Antoinette Dibble Roberts, Richard Taylor Roberts, Amira Salene Al Amin, and Khari Chester Richard
George Al Amin; sister Jennifer June Allen; nephews Willie Roberts, Kenneth Paul Roberts, Steven
Christopher Allen and Dr. Sheldon Wrice; Nieces Teryle Veal, Patricia Roberts, Miriam Roberts, Juana
Roberts, Valerie Smith, and a host of cousins, great nieces, and great nephews; special friends Sandra
Shaw, Phyllis Atkinson, and childhood best friend Constance Singleton; colleague, and friend and
literacy advocate Barbara Rickenbacker.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Endowed Scholarship in her name for students
studying to become elementary educators at The University of Akron. Donations can be made at
www.uakron.edu/MargaretRoberts.

The family would like to thank all those for the many acts of kindness afforded to them during this
difficult time. A special thank you to Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home for their excellent service.
A repass will immediately follow the service at The University of Akron Honors College 180 S. College Street Akron, OH 44308.