LINDA RUTH ROBERTS

First Lady Linda Ruth Roberts was born to the late Major (Retired) Carnegie Barnes, Jr. and Thelma Barnes on September 4, 1954 in Liberty, Texas. Linda was the second of five sisters and raised as a military brat. Over the course of her childhood, she lived in a number of cities, to include: Fort Bliss – El Paso, TX, Fort Jackson – Columbia, SC and Fort Benning – Columbus, GA. Linda and her family finally settled at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1972.

Linda attended Prairie View A&M University. Shortly after, she met the love of her life, Pastor Andrew Roberts, Sr. The two joined in holy matrimony on June 2, 1974 and later had two children. 

Linda led a successful career in banking and reemployment services. In the early stages of her career, she worked at several banks across San Antonio, including Farm and Home Savings, Texas Bank and Bank One. She later transitioned to reemployment services. Linda worked for the Texas Workforce Commission for over 15 years where she counseled individuals seeking reemployment on interview readiness, resume building and how to best find employment opportunities within their background and skill set. She used her talents to influence many job seekers and ultimately help them find and be successful in their dream roles. 

Outside of work, Linda was a member and served as First Lady of Eastwood Missionary Baptist Church. She was most proud of her work at Eastwood — doing the work of the Lord. She headed the Mission Ministry for the women of the church to fellowship, pray and serve the community. Linda was a supportive First Lady to her husband and the entire congregation. She often checked in on her fellow sisters and brothers in Christ, graced the congregation with thoughtful salutations, uplifting scriptures and words of wisdom and rolled up her sleeves to offer an extra hand in making a visiting church feel warmly welcomed. Alongside her husband, Linda visited the sick and shut-in, organized community outreach events and encouraged everyone she crossed paths with to have a relationship with Christ. 

On July 11, 2023, Linda was called home to be with our Lord. She was preceded in death by her father, Carnegie Barnes, Jr. and oldest sister, Shirley Smith. 

Linda’s legacy is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Pastor Andrew Roberts, Sr., mother, Thelma Barnes, children: Nichole Roberts-Holloway and Andrew Roberts, Jr. (Alicia Roberts), grandchildren: Courtney Roberts, Ainsley Roberts and Parker Roberts, sisters: Gloria Jefferson (Douglas Jefferson), Gwendolyn Reed (Wallace Reed, Jr.) and Cornelia Scott, sister/brother in-laws: Pearl Roberts, Michael Roberts (Linda Roberts), Martha Irving and Loretta Hodge, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and fellow church members. 

First Lady Linda Roberts’ kindness and gentle spirit will live on forever. While she will be greatly missed, the family is rejoiced in knowing she is with our Heavenly Father.