Born Roberta Allen on September 20, 1928 in a farming community near Waterview, Cumberland County, Kentucky and into an eventual family of seven, she was number four. Her parents were Burton and Hattie. Her brothers and sisters were Genetta, Lolater, Arverta, James, Frank and Charles. All of her brothers and sisters preceded her in death; two months shy of 95 at her passing; she was the last of them.

When she was just a young teenage girl, she met James Ervin Coe as he was taking a shortcut through her family's farm. He had a burlap bag slung over his shoulder and a pistol tucked in the waistband of his pants. He was a member of a notorious family of local moonshiners and, on that particular day, he was about his business.

The two of them fell in love and, shortly thereafter, on February 29, 1948, got married and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana to build their lives and raise a family.

To this union were born six children, James Earl, Betty, Doris, Jerry, Thomas and Roberta (Birdie).

Tragically, her beloved husband Ervin was killed on April 8, 1957 while riding his bicycle to work that morning and she was left alone to raise her family.

Sometime later, the family grew to include a seventh child, David.

Having no other particular skills to speak of, she cleaned other people's homes to earn money to raise her family and make ends meet. Some of her employers were older people and infirmed and she cared for them as a nurse would.

Eventually, she would use the nursing skills she acquired to move from cleaning homes to working as a Nurse's Aid in retirement homes for the elderly.

She was a big sports fan and loved watching basketball and football. And, she especially loved her loyal dog, Goldie, who was with her many years before he passed.

Her favorite aunt 'Leona' preceded her in death by many years. Yet, remarkably, in her advanced stage of dementia and long after she could no longer remember her own children's names, she could still tell you the exact address of her beloved.

Aunt Leona

In her golden years, she was watched over and cared for by her loving and faithful granddaughter, Tina Kay. For years Tina Kay stood sentry over her beloved 'mama' and was there at her passing.

She is survived by all of her seven children, along with many nieces and nephews.

Further she is survived by grandchildren, Denita, James, Anthony, Raymond, Rob, Melissa, James (Geebo), Michael, Josette, Tina Kay, Felicia, James (Blue), Derrin, Satanna, Amber, Jerry, Shaun, Shawn, Tommy, Stevin, Shevin, Sahni, Joshua, Derrick, Darrell, Cherise, David, Key Wanna and Ashley. And many, many, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, too numerous to mention.

An angel appeared to me recently. He said he had seen mama; told him, she was on her way home.