[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF EDITH NORLE McMILLAN ROBERTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2015

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise to 
honor the life of my good friend, Edith Norle McMillan Roberts, who 
passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2015, in Antelope, California at 
the age of 96. Edith was not only a good friend of mine, but she was a 
friend to Sacramento--someone who spent her life dedicated to her 
family, education and public service.
  Edith Norle McMillan Roberts was the widow of the late Tuskegee 
Airman George ``Spanky'' Roberts, Colonel, USAF (Retired), a member of 
the first graduating class of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1942. She was born 
on March 18, 1919, in Gilliam, West Virginia. While attending West 
Virginia State University (formerly West Virginia State College), she 
met George. She graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor's degree in music and 
French. While at college, she joined the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and 
the college choir. After graduation, she taught second through fifth 
grade, as well as the Boys' Glee Club, at Lakin Boys' Reformatory in 
Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Edith and George married on March 7, 
1942, immediately following his graduation in the first class of 
Tuskegee Airmen.
  Moving to Sacramento, California in 1965, George worked at McClellan 
Air Force Base where Edith directed the Military Wives' Choral Group 
and sang in the chapel choir. The pair retired to civilian life in 
1968. The family attended St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, where 
Edith, once again, took up the post of choir director until 1997.
  Edith graduated in 1972 with her Master's Degree in social work from 
the Graduate School of Social Work at California State University, 
Sacramento. She worked for the Sacramento City Unified School District 
as a School Social Worker from 1972-1985, and was the first African-
American Social Worker for the school district.
  Edith did extensive work for the George S. ``Spanky'' Roberts Chapter 
of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and founded the ``Living History Team.'' 
She traveled the United States teaching adults and children about the 
legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and the many hardships they were dealt in 
life, from Jim Crow laws and segregation to her struggles of being a 
military wife.
  Edith was always a strong advocate of education. The George S. 
``Spanky'' Roberts Chapter will honor her memory by creating the Edith 
Roberts Scholarship Award in her name. Similarly, the Tuskegee Airmen, 
Inc. national organization will create the George and Edith Roberts 
Scholarship award. These scholarships will help graduating seniors to 
follow their goals through higher education and beyond. Nothing made 
Edith happier than watching young people recognize and follow their 
dreams.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Edith Norle McMillan Roberts. She leaves a legacy that we should all 
aspire to follow. She is loved deeply and will be missed by many. I 
pray that her loving family, George Roberts, Jr., Lanelle Brent, 
Michalyn Green, and Leigh Roberts; six grandchildren, Richard Brent, 
Heather Mercer, Joshua Roberts, Margaret Green, Zachari Roberts, and 
Nathaniel Roberts; and three great-grandchildren, Kathryn Mercer, Grace 
Roberts and Lauren Mercer will find comfort in the fact that Edith 
provided so much love and service to those of us who had the honor to 
share in her life.

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