Zelma Viola Roberson

Zelma Viola Roberson passed from this life on Sunday, April 26, 2015, at the age of 91years seven months and fifteen days.

Zelma was born September 11, 1923, she was the daughter of Alvin and Viola (Baker) Newport. As a young girl Zelma grew up in the Prue, Oklahoma as well as the Ralston and Fairfax area. Zelma attended school between Hominy and Fairfax the area known as Middle Enterprise. Following the completion of her education Zelma moved with her sister to Wichita, Kansas. During this time she gained employment at McDonnell Douglas. At this time she along with many other ladies worked during World War II to helping supply the needs of the military. Zelma worked on the assembly line of the B-29 as what is historically known as “Rosie the Riveter”. During that time Zelma actually helped with the construction of the famous “Anola Gay”.

Following World War II, Zelma returned to the Fairfax, Oklahoma area and was reintroduced to Ernest E. Roberson. Later in 1947, Zelma was united in marriage to the love of her life Ernest E. Roberson. The couple returned to the Middle Enterprise area where they farmed and raised their three children, Diana, Jim and Sherry. In the early 1960’s, Zelma worked in Hominy where she owned the House of Beauty. She operated that establishment until the mid 1970’s. At that time she moved her business to her home which she operated thru the 1980’s. Zelma also worked in Fairfax as a beautician for many years. Following the death of her husband Ernest in 1986, Zelma remained in the Hominy area until she moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma in 1989. At that time Zelma moved to Broken Arrow to live with her son Jim. Zelma remained there until 2010, when she moved to Mississippi to be closer to her daughters Diana and Sherry.

Zelma was a wonderful lady. She loved being with her family especially her grandchildren. Her grandchildren remember the times at her home gathering eggs, milking the cows, fishing, harvesting vegetables from the garden and spending the day in the kitchen cooking. Zelma was also a former Sunday School teacher for many years. She loved to play cards especially Uno, SkipBo and Canasta. Zelma is described as a very strong willed lady.

Survivors are her children Diana Dorsha, Jim Roberson, Sherry Miller, grandchildren Jamie Whitehorn, Jacquelyn Alspach, Jillian Phippen, April Edwards, Richard Dorsha, Michelle Bankston, Crystal Rowell, Kelly Miller; great grandchildren Whitney Whitehorn, Anthony Whitehorn, Addison Hendren, Rachel Edwards, Colin Edwards, Donnie Dorsha, AJ Dorsha, Ally Dorsha, Marissa Reynolds, Keely Bankston, Shelbie Surface, Alexandria Rowell, Jacy Miller, Janson Miller, and Jersey Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest E. Roberson, siblings Cecil Newport, Ruby, Elsie, Stella, Norma, Glenna, Alvin "Truman" Newport, Grace, Velma and Leo Newport.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Formby officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairfax Cemetery in Fairfax, Oklahoma under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Oklahoma.