CHARLESTON — Jane Cocke Roberson, age 89, a Tallahatchie treasure, has passed away.
A celebration of Jane’s life was held on Thursday, Feb. 1, at Charleston United Methodist Church. Visitation was 10-11 a.m. with funeral services immediately following at 11 a.m. Womble Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Jane was born on July 16, 1935, in Charleston to her parents, Carol and Kenneth Cocke. She attended Charleston Elementary School and eventually graduated from Charleston High School, Class of 1953. While there, she cheered for the Tigers and held titles like "Most Friendly" and "Most Popular" in the school yearbook.
A short while after graduation, Jane moved to Washington, D.C., to experience the night lights of D.C. and living off onion sandwiches. Soon after her return home, she married Jimmie M. Roberson (1955-2017) and got busy building a family and being a farmer’s wife. The couple were blessed with four beautiful children: Rebecca Jane (Becky), Jimmie Marshall Jr. (Marshall), David Anthony (Andy), and Amy Claire (Amy). In following years their children found life mates and begat children of their own: Becky and Al Pettigrew (Jaime), Marshall and Pat (Rowland and Patrick), Andy (deceased), and Amy and Pete Berry (John Austin, Bryce, and Scott).
Many years later, she and Jimmie returned to their hometown of Charleston, to live in the Roberson family home on Valley Road. Jane became an active member of the Charleston United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School and faithfully singing in the choir. She was an accomplished artist, active in the CARE community, and over the years taught art lessons to countless local youngsters.
With Master Gardener certification, she and fellow plant lovers could be seen on the courthouse square in the heat of summer maintaining the gorgeous flower beds.
She loved to bake; her caramel cakes were Jimmie’s favorite. In 1965, Jane entered the Mrs. Mississippi pageant, easily winning the crown. Afterward, she would explain that she was chosen for her "Cookin, not for her lookin!’" If you were fortunate enough to know Jane, you already realize that she was beautiful inside and out.
There is no doubt that her physical presence on this earth will be sorely missed, but her spirit lives on in the hearts of her children (4), grandchildren (6), great-grandchildren (9) and friends.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Jimmie M. Roberson (1929-2016), son Andy Roberson (1959-1996), grandson Bryce Berry (1994-2015) and only sibling, Ken Cocke (1936-2019).
Memorial donations may be sent online to Methodist Senior Services at mss.org. Assign your gift to Flowers’ Manor in Clarksdale in honor of Jane C. Roberson.
Condolences can be made online at www.womblefuneralhome.com.
