Mrs. Lillian Ussery Roberts, 71, of 1913 Petty Road, Kingstown, NC departed this life on  Friday, May 30, 2014 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center in Shelby.  She was born on January 11, 1943 in Shelby, NC to the late Colemon Ussery, Sr. and Millie Kee Ussery.

Mrs. Roberts was retired from Hoechst Celanese after over 30 years of employment.  Afterwards, she then fulfilled one of her life time dreams of owning and operating Tiny Tots Day Care.  Being the eldest daughter in her family, she was a mother figure to all of her brothers and sisters.  Her many joys  included the many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with her family, her vacations to Florida with family and friends and the cruises she took with her sisters.

She graduated with honors from Douglas High School in 1961 and received her Early Childhood certification.  She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s events, arts and crafts and wedding decorating.  In addition, Mrs. Roberts was a member of First Baptist Church in Lawndale where she enjoyed singing in the church choir.

She leaves to cherish fond memories, her husband of 35 years, William Roberts; two daughters, Ashely Hamilton (Antwan) of Shelby and Kimberly Rijos of Miami, FL; two sons, Edward Jerome Downs (special friend, Wendy Brewer) and Eric Downs both of Shelby; two brothers, Colemon Ussery, Jr (Linda) of Lawndale, NC and Oscar Ussery of Charlotte, NC; five sisters, Marion Otts (James) of Waldolf, MD, Bernice Degree of Lorton, VA, Beverly Coxton, Sandra Hoey and Sonoro Ussery all of Charlotte, NC; 17 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren; a special daughter-in-law, Felecia Downs; a special sister-in-law, Freda Baxter both of Shelby; her mother-in-law, Madge Roberts of Kingstown; brothers-in-law, Donald Roberts, Kenneth Roberts (Peggy) and Dennis Roberts all of Shelby; sisters-in-law, Sharon Roberts of Shelby, Sherry McGuire (Bob) of Kingstown, Freda Wilson (Wendell), Gloria Clemmons both of Savannah, GA and Frances Smith (James) of Shelby and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.