Jacqueline Roberts

Jacqueline Rose Roberts, age 88, of Portage, MI Jackie was released from her earthly journey on Monday, July 31, 2017 and is now whole again rejoicing in the glorious presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jackie was born July 17, 1929 in Kalamazoo to Bill and Ruth Hill. She accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and faithfully served Him all her life in a variety of church ministries. She was a 1947 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and was a lifelong Kalamazoo resident. As a teenager she sang duets with her sister, Beverly, on the radio and in various churches in Kalamazoo. She met her future husband, Lewis Roberts, at Lake Center Bible Church. They were married on November 5, 1947 at Calvary Bible Church. She and Lewie started a home building company in the early 1950's and together built over 2500 homes in the greater Kalamazoo area until their retirement in 2008. Jackie was especially active at Bethel Baptist Church and Berean Baptist Church in various women's ministries and had a deep interest in missions. Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Lewie, in November of 2014; two grandchildren, Andrew Roberts and Travis Mazer; her brothers, Bob Hill and Skip Hill; and step-sister, Mary Jean Townsend. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ginnie (Dick) Mann, Lewie (Maria) Roberts, Gary (Denise) Roberts, Peggy (Ron) Shepard, Wendy (Kevin) Mazer and Todd (Amy) Roberts. She is also survived by twenty-four grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; her sister, Beverly (Bob) Gabel; her sisters-in-law, Donna Hill and Bonnie Slager/Shepard and brothers-in-law, Charlie (Judy) Roberts and David (Leslie) Roberts. Visitation will be held from 9:30 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral chapel, with a luncheon to follow. Interment will follow the luncheon at 1:30 p.m. in Schoolcraft Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Jackie's name to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Great Lakes Hospice.