Joan A. Roberson

Joan Anne Roberson went by many names - Bootsie, Lady, Mom, Aunt Joan, Grandma Robbie, GG Robbie, and her most recent and perhaps most beloved name - simply, Robbie.

She was raised in Washington, DC by her mother, Anna Mae Chick, alongside her brothers, Ray, Vince, and Teddy. She met Ralph Roberson in DC and soon after realized their fun-loving and hard-working spirits were meant to be together. They were senior leaders with the Tall Cedars of North America - Joan a Cedarette - and together, they volunteered for many years via the Sidonian Unit, raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

After being married, they moved out of the city to the suburb of Crownsville, Maryland to build a home and raise a family. They had four beloved children - Carolyn (Severn) Johnson, Gail (Bruce) Friend, the late Ralph Roberson, Jr., and late Danny (Malinda) Roberson. Joan and Ralph loved to host parties - especially in the summer -- with friends at the beach in their Arden neighborhood and with family at Bethany Beach. Joan also loved sports and played adult recreational softball for many years.

As their children grew and had families of their own, Joan and Ralph realized their retirement dreams - moving to Rehoboth Beach, DE and building their retirement home. Decades after Ralph passed, Joan continued to make memories at that house with her children, grandchildren [Rene' (Dave) Baker, Kelly (Matt) Chwastyk, Tracy (Seth) Freedman, Ashley (Andrew) Collins, Stephanie (Brett) Johnson-Rivero, William (Mike) Archibald, Jessica Friend, Nicolai Friend, and Kasey Roberson] and great-grandchildren [Picabo Baker, Collyer Baker, Caleb Chwastyk, Elijah Chwastyk, Matthias Chwastyk, Annemarie Chwastyk, Severn Freedman, Theodore Freedman, Olivia Collins, Evan Collins, Kaylee Chesnutt, Ashton McGhee-Rivero, Kaleb McGhee-Rivero, and Sofia Rivero].

Joan valued hard work and was never afraid of trying something new, and consequently had numerous careers. She was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. She spent many years serving as a secretary and business manager for her husband's HVAC and sheet metal business - R&R Specialties. She also tried her hand at working the front desk of a hotel in Rehoboth Beach. After her husband passed, she got into competitive cycling, achieved the title of Delaware State Champion, and went on to attend the Senior Olympics in New Orleans in 1993. She even worked as a toll collector at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and had countless stories of the people she met. She rounded out her work resume serving as an Arundel High School cafeteria worker in Gambrills, MD. For nearly 20 years, she kept high school students in line and was known to have the best Halloween costumes of any of the staff.

Wherever Joan went, she made friends. She was known for her fierce independence, feisty spirit, and deep love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be profoundly missed by her family and friends.

A visitation and funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Beall Funeral Home 6512 NW Crain Hwy Bowie, MD 20715.

In lieu of flowers, donations (wreath sponsorships) can be made to Wreaths Across America for the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery where Joan enjoyed volunteering over the holidays. Visit her memorial page at Wreaths across America