Roberta Reed Francis, 79, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center. She was born on Thursday, December 24, 1942, in Tarboro, Georgia to Willie Reed and Florine Hill. Roberta was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma by her aunt Carrie Bell Glover and moved to Palatka when she was a teenager. She worked as a migrant field worker and home domestic, and after many years she retired from Florida Furniture Industries.

Roberta took her faith in God seriously and encouraged others to do the same. She was a faithful member of Zion Temple Church of God in Christ for more than 40 years where she served as an evangelist and missionary. Roberta loved to sing, shout, and praise God, and found great inspiration in her favorite song, "My Body Belongs to God." Her godly wisdom and lifestyle was witnessed by many, and in 2018 she was honored to be acknowledged as a Mother of the Church.

A loving and faithful wife, Roberta and Deacon Charlie Francis were married for 53 years. Together they raised six children and cared for their grandchildren. Roberta remained active in her later years as she rode her bike around the neighborhood, visited friends and family in hospitals and nursing homes, cared for stray cats and dogs on her street, hosted family gatherings, and baked her prized sweet potato pies. Each time you asked Roberta how she was doing, she replied, "I'm blessed!" She was blessed, and she used her life to be a blessing to others.

In addition to her parents, Roberta was preceded in eternal rest by her devoted husband; aunt, Carrie Bell Glover; siblings, James Hill, Dorothy Ann Hill, Eva Mae Hill, Imogene Robinson, Harriett Hill, and Jerome Hill; son-in-law, Elder Johnny Days.

Roberta leaves to cherish her memories: sons and daughters, Charlie (Linda) Francis, Terry Francis, and Audrey Smith, all of Palatka; Rodney (Leah) Francis, Indianapolis, IN; Tina Days, Gainesville; Trina (Arthur) Ward, Jacksonville; grandchildren, Rodney Francis, Jr., Palatka; Tarvarres Williams, Dallas, TX; Shayla Francis, Staten Island, NY; Audresha Smith, Palatka; Evan Francis and Desmond Francis, Indianapolis, IN; Camyrn Days, Jasmine Days, and Shelby Rose, all of Gainesville; Aniyah Ward and Aaliyah Ward, both of Jacksonville; great-grandchildren, Truth and Tomarow Williams, both of Dallas, TX; sisters, Florine Pope, Palatka; Yvonne (Johnnie) Jackson, Jacksonville; sisters-in-law, Terri Hill, Jacksonville; Jeanette Session, Palatka; brother-in-law, Ernest (Irene) Francis, Columbus, GA; goddaughter, Kalisha Jefferson, St. Augustine; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, April 8 at Zion Temple Church of God in Christ, 1601 Bronson Street, Palatka. Homegoing Celebration will be 11 a.m., Saturday, April 9 at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 1000 N. 19th Street, Palatka. Mother Francis' Pastor, Superintendent Antonio V. Ruth, is the eulogist. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery.