Ernestine McLeod Roberts

Ernestine M. Roberts (“Miss E”), 84, of Tallahassee, peacefully went to her Lord Jesus on July 20, 2020. She was born in Andalusia, AL on November 12, 1935 to Coleman Douglas McLeod and Ernestine Gordon McLeod. She is predeceased by her parents, her sister, Jane McLeod, and her husband of 46 years, Eddie Earl Roberts (“Mr. Ed”). “Miss E and Mr. Ed” were quite the pair, and they enjoyed a good life together blessing many others along the way. Ernestine is survived by her son, Kelly Burke (Nancy) and grandchildren Sarah Burke and Ryan Burke. She is also survived by two step-daughters Desiree Roberts Anders (Danny) and Dawn Roberts Goa (Bill), and step-grandchildren Joshua Anders and Ashley Hohertz. In addition, she is survived by a brother-in-law Randolph Roberts and sister-in-laws Elizabeth Smith, Callie Quigg, June Seymour and a host of Roberts nieces and nephews. After graduating from Andalusia High, Ernestine attended college in Alabama before marrying the late Charles Danny Burke and moving to Tallahassee, where Danny was the Pastor of the then Capitola Baptist Church. During this time, Kelly was born and Ernestine completed her studies at Florida State University. She would serve over 30 years in elementary education, beginning at the Old Chaires School, with the vast majority of her career being spent as the Librarian/Media Specialist at Kate Sullivan Elementary. She loved the children, teaching them the value of reading, her fellow teachers, and a library with “every book checked out or in its place and catalogued”. Ernestine was a Christian, and lived her faith more by action than word. She was always active in the church, teaching Sunday School, playing piano and organ, directing the choir, and various other capacities. This was especially true for her many active years at the old Northside Baptist Church – now Canopy Roads Baptist. If the church doors were open, she was there… until the body just couldn’t get her there anymore. Ernestine loved and appreciated beautiful music, a good book, feeding and watching (and naming) birds and butterflies, as well as flowers. She enjoyed playing the piano, working in her garden, and just being outside. She loved her family, get-togethers, and her grandchildren’s ball games. She also loved spending time at their beach house and mountain house (aka "Thisldu" and “Thisldu 2") which she and Eddie Earl, and many others, would enjoy over the years. In the early years of their marriage, they were also quite busy with Square Dancing. Although never wanting the lime-light or an out-front leadership position, Ernestine loved being involved, working hard, and making sure everything was in order, just like the library books and the books of their Roberts Construction Company. When she physically began to slow down, she became more active in support roles with organizational duties and financial giving for several ministry and social organizations. As her body progressively declined, she became more dependent on others. This was a hard transition for her, and we are very grateful for the many family, friends, neighbors, and professionals that have helped in various capacities these last several years. But today, she is whole and free and more alive than she has ever been! Praise Jesus! A memorial service will be held at Bevis Funeral Home on Saturday, July 25 at 11am. The service will be live-streamed and made available for viewing later on the Bevis Funeral Home website. The service will be available to view live online at https://www.bevisfh.com. To watch, click on the word Obituaries at the top of the homepage, then click on the name of your loved one, and then the green Photos and Videos tab. Staff members will be available to answer questions or help with technical issues at (850) 385-2193. Please note there will be no family visitation at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (Disaster Chaplaincy) https://rrt.billygraham.org/give/ or to the Lighthouse Children’s Home 7771 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, FL 32309 or the charity of your choice. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193

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Ernestine McLeod Roberts

November 12, 1935 - July 20, 2020