April 13, 1943 - December 10, 2014

Brenda Gail Herring Roberts passed away from this life to the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on December 10, 2014 after a long and valiant struggle with illness.

Brenda was born on April 13, 1943 in Pascagoula, Mississippi to Effie Mae Pittman Herring and Olen D. Herring who precede her in death. She and her husband Jim moved to DeRidder in 1968.  Brenda attended West Marion High School in Columbia, Mississippi where she played varsity basketball. She attended William Carey University and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at McNeese State University.  Brenda focused her career as a Registered Nurse on the elderly and terminally ill. She served as Director of Nursing at Pine Haven Nursing Home and Westwood Manor Nursing Home. She also worked as a home health and hospice nurse. Brenda loved her patients and treated them with great care and compassion, like her own family.  Brenda is a past President of the DeRidder Junior Women’s Club. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of DeRidder where she sang in the choir for many years. Brenda and Jim have been members of New Life Baptist Church since it was founded ten years ago.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Jim Roberts; children Ramon Roberts (Kelli Rutherford) of DeRidder, Robin Holk (Derek) of Seabrook, Texas, Greg Roberts (Paula) of DeRidder, Mike Roberts (Chrissy Warren) of DeRidder,  and Sarah Matte (Tad) of Sulphur; sister, Willodean Herring Moye of Jasper, Texas.

Others who cherish her memory are those who call her Maw Maw or Nana, her grandchildren: Misty Roberts Clanton (Duncan), Brandon Roberts (Jill), Bryan Roberts, Jennifer Day (Chad), Chandler Roberts (Abby Day), Layken and Monica Matte, Emory Roberts, and Graham Whittington.  Her great-grandchildren include Caden and Stella Clanton, Hunter and Chloe Roberts, and Rylle Day.  She is also survived by nephews, Grant (Terri) Moye and Bradley Moye, their children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, and Friday, December 12, 2014 from 10:00am until 11:00am at New Life Baptist Church in DeRidder, LA. The funeral will be held Friday, December 12, 2014 at 11:00am at New Life Baptist Church in DeRidder. Bro. Jerry Masters and Bro. Lynn Clayton will preside over the service.  Burial will follow at Beauregard Cemetery .

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations be made in Brenda’s memory to either the New Life Baptist Church Building Fund or the DeRidder Junior Women’s Club Cancer Fund.