Roberta Bryson Oglesby
Roberta Bryson Oglesby, blessed with 95 years of life, surrendered softly and peacefully to the Lord’s call in the early morning of July 31, 2024. She was surrounded by her family who nurtured and prayed with her through her last days and hours.
The celebration of her life began on August 9, 1928, when Roberta Bryson was born and blessed to be received by her loving parents, the late Green and Della Bryson.
Roberta grew up in North Chattanooga where she joined her family’s church, Hurst Memorial United Methodist Church at a young age. She attended the Chattanooga Public Schools: Spears Avenue Elementary School, East Fifth Street Junior High School and Howard High School. Upon graduation, Roberta entered Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. While in college, she pledged the Alpha Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, along with Dorothy, Vilma and Wylma. She later attended the University of Tennessee earning certification in library science.
Roberta worked for several years as a second grade teacher and later as librarian with the Chattanooga Public Schools. After retiring, she began a life of “almost” leisure that included lunches with her retired friends, traveling, shopping, working with her neighborhood association, working for her church and keeping the Scruggs family informed of all family events and activities. She became friends with two neighborhood children, Ciara and Shay who visited her house regularly. She enjoyed helping them learn to read, but also how to be appropriate young ladies. She also continued to be that loving and supportive grandmother to her precious grandson, JJ Ricks.
Roberta served as chairperson of Hurst’s Administrative Council and the church secretary. She was a member of Carats, Inc., Clark Atlanta Alumni Association and Witoka Bridge Club. She enjoyed giving of her time and skills.
Roberta’s greatest love was for her family. Her best times were the family gatherings for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or just the small family Sunday dinners. Christmas morning waffles at her home with Gayle, Tamara and JJ were her favorite times of joy, laughter and love. She looked forward to all the Scruggs Family Reunions. In fact, she was involved in planning the first reunion for many years.
Roberta was an excellent cook. Her oyster casserole, dressing (stuffing), sweet potatoes, fudge and rum balls were simply scrumptious! Her favorite food was crab cakes. She made the best crab cakes (with very little filling) and even taught Gayle and Tamara to make them. In later years when she stopped cooking, she would even order them online.
Roberta also loved music. She sang in Hurst’s choir for over 50 years. She was a strong alto and sometimes tenor. She played the piano, but her joy was listening to family and friends sing or play musical instruments. The musical talents of Lovie, Joyce, Carolyn, Mildred, the Hurst Sextet, Booker T., Ashley and Allison brought her enormous joy. Roberta also loved figuring out her daily CryptoQuote and every now and then, the daily crossword puzzle in the Chattanooga News Free Press and playing solitaire on her iPad. At 95 years old Roberta had a laptop and desktop computers and an iPad that she used daily. After she stopped going out to shop, she started shopping on-line. Her daughters and grandson were the unwilling recipients of her on-line purchases.
Roberta leaves a legacy of wisdom, generosity, a caring spirit, and a strong presence of love in the hearts of many. She is known for her elegant presence. She was definitely not pretentious in any way, but she was a stickler for doing “things” with dignity and righteousness.
Roberta’s love and appreciation will forever be with her devoted family and friends: Her daughters, Gayle Oglesby Ricks of Columbia, S.C. and Tamara Oglesby of Chattanooga; nieces, Lynn Bryson Charles (Patrick) of Los Angeles, and Debra Bryson Mitchell (Gerald) of Palmetto, Ga.; nephew Louis “Chico” Bryson of Los Angeles; great-niece, Grace Charles of Los Angeles, and great-nephew, Bryson Mitchell of Atlanta; first cousins, Winston Tollett (Charlene) of Shreveport, La., Harold Eaton of Lanham, Md., and James Jones of Chattanooga; devoted friends, Gary and Terryl James of Chattanooga, long-time friends, Raymond “Tweet” Williams of Atlanta, and Luella “Baby Lou” Haynes of Ocean City, Fl., and many other family members and friends. As she leaves family behind, she is welcomed by family: her parents, siblings and grandson, JJ, along with other family and friends.
We are all so blessed to have had Roberta Bryson Oglesby in our lives for such a long time. Mother, you left in peace to rest in peace. To God be the glory for giving us a Mother like you. Gayle & Tam.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hurst United Methodist Church, 829 Dallas Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37405.
Public viewing will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at Hurst United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.