Roberta B. Baptiste

Roberta Baptiste, affectionately known as “Ro”, was born on January 29, 1953, in Chesterfield, VA. Although unexpected to us, she was called home to be with the Lord on Monday March 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Roberta was the 12th of 13 children born to Jimmie E. Bradley and Josephine Gayle Bradley. She spent her early years in the country with her parents and her many siblings. After losing her mother at the early age of nine, she eventually moved to New York to be with her older sisters. While working in New York on Wall Street, she caught the eye of a handsome West Indian National from Trinidad and Tobago named Anthony Baptiste. The pair began dating and soon became inseparable. They decided to get married and move to Richmond, VA in 1972 to raise a family. She was a devoted wife to her husband of 51 years, and an amazing loving mother to her three spoiled children. Her family was the heartbeat of her life, and she nurtured each of them with unyielding love, wisdom, and support. Her greatest joy was watching her children and grandchildren grow, always encouraging them to keep God first and pursue their passions and dreams. Roberta was a woman of God, extraordinary grace, and boundless love. Her life was a beautiful symphony of faith, family, and service. From a young age she found joy and purpose in serving others, whether it was through cooking and delivering meals to pastors and church members, being a listening ear and giving impactful words of encouragement, mentorship or as a prayer partner spending hours in intercession and prayer. She had a kind and generous spirit, always ready to lend a helping hand. She was the baby girl of the family and the immense love and respect she had for her older sisters was immeasurable. She spent the final years of her life caring for one of her older sisters. Everyone could count on Ro to show up in whatever way she was needed. She touched countless lives and her legacy of kindness, love and compassion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She was a fashionista and some would even say a diva, but in a good way. Her sense of style, grace and class was unmatched – a true beauty inside and out. Roberta leaves to cherish her memory her children Anthony Baptiste Jr. (Tonette), La Tonia “Nikki” Baptiste, Tamitra Avion Burnette, grandchildren LaTanyah Baptiste and Hayden Burnette, sisters Lula Jennings, Rebecca Williams, Emma Bradley, Katie Herbert, Josephine Bradley, Runa Moseley, Alberta Rollins, brother Raymond Bradley, and a host of extended family and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jimmie and Josephine Bradley, her husband Anthony Baptiste, Sr., sister Mary Henderson, and brothers Peter, Jimmie Jr., and Samuel Bradley. Her love was the melody that filled our lives, and though she is no longer with us, her voice will echo in our hearts forever.

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Roberta B. Baptiste

January 29, 1953 - March 3, 2025