Imelda Roberts

Imelda was born in the township of St. Vincent, Arkansas to Michael John Miller and Thelma Marie Ridling Miller on June 4, 1941. She graduated from Wonderview High School, Hattieville Arkansas in 1959 where her classmates nominated her as “Most Studious Girl”.

Imelda continued on with nursing school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked for St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. Ironically, in the 1920s before returning to farming, both her father and mother were employed at St. Vincent. The couple were introduced to one another by Michael’s brother, Nickalous, another St. Vincent employee. Imelda worked until 1972 when she left to become a full-time homemaker. However, she maintained her nursing license until her retirement date, buying the latest nursing reference books and studying to “try” to stay current.

Similar to her parents, she met her future spouse, Allen Roberts, at work. They were married on July 29th, 1966 in Greenville, Mississippi.

Being raised on a farm, Imelda had a love for growing things. Her green thumb was apparent in the wide variety of healthy flowers and plants that always filled her home.

As a child, money was in short supply due to the war and the depression; having grown up with so little with dresses for girls made out of burlap, Imelda was passionate about her clothes and jewelry; frugal per her upbringing, she loved going to garage sales, thrift stores, and anyplace where she could get a bargain.

Imelda was always very artistic and enjoyed drawing and painting especially with charcoal. Some of her drawings were entered into an art exhibit and she was thrilled when a patron bought one of her creations.

A tried-and-true Razorback fan, Imelda was always cheering on her Hogs, winning season or not, with a Razorback blanket not far away.

However, Imelda’s greatest passion, was the Lord Jesus. She was a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock since the early 90s. When she wasn’t able to attend in person, she would not miss Mass on television. Her home was always adorned with crucifixes, statues of saints, angels, and her book shelves were loaded with a wide variety of well-read religious text. Imelda would refuse to watch shows or listen to music that wasn’t wholesome. Despite all this, Imelda was humble and never felt deserving of God’s Grace but had Hope as all true believers should.

Imelda is preceded in death by her parents, Michael & Thelma; husband Allen; sisters Rose Marie Miller, Margaret Francis Tantalo, Mathilda Josephine Paladino Rossi; and brother Mathias Carl.

Imelda is survived by her son, Allen Roberts, Jr. & wife Lori; daughter Donna Smith & husband Robert, brothers Michael Miller & wife Jenwyl, Carl Miller & wife Bea, Jim Miller & wife Becky; sister Theresa Thomas; grandchildren Kaitlyn Roberts and Ethan Roberts; sisters-in-law Joyce Roberts of Oconto, NE, and Joanna Roberts of Paulden, AZ, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom Imelda loved, took pride in, and liked to keep track of with regular letters and long phone calls to family members who were “in-the-know”. She wished to specially mention her nephews Robert Miller & wife Claudia and Steve Rogers with whom she was especially close over the last few years.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 9:00am at Pinecrest Funeral Home located at 7401 AR-5, Alexander, AR 72002

A Rosary lead by Deacon Charles Ashburn and service by Fr. Gregory Luyet will be held following the visitation at 10am. Graveside Ceremony and Burial will immediately follow the service at Pinecrest Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pinecrestfh.com for the Roberts family.