Diane L. Roberts

The world lost a beautiful, kind, generous, and selfless person and Heaven gained an angel with the passing of Diane Shepherd Roberts on January 22, 2018.

Diane was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Will and Dorothy Shepherd and raised by her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Gertrude Shepherd, both of whom preceded her in death. Early on in life, she had the goal of being the first in her family to graduate from college so that she could make her grandparents proud and provide them with the very best in life. She attended and graduated from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, where she majored in business and accounting. She enjoyed a thirty-year career working for the United States federal government as a budget analyst. She truly loved being a supervisor and she looked forward to going to work each and every day. Additionally, she loved her co-workers and she found great joy in empowering those around her and she always wanted others to succeed in their careers.

When Diane was nineteen, she met her one and only, true love of her life, George Eric Roberts at a funeral and they married in 1987. Together, they began their journey in California, where they lived for thirty years. Even though she considered California her home, she was a southern girl through and through and her southern hospitality proved that.

Even from an early age, she always had a fervent desire to help others in any way she could and her generosity went far; whether it was physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Diane talked the “talk” and walked the “walk”. She was a caring and patient woman who always saw the best in everyone and selflessly encouraged others to pursue their dreams and endeavors. She was so easy to talk to because of her friendly personality and kind spirit. Diane truly never met a stranger. She met people from all different walks of life and was able to relate to them in some way. She never passed judgment; rather, she always provided encouragement and gave hope to those she knew and met. She always had such high integrity and respect for all things she was involved in.

Diane was infinitely dedicated to her roles as a wife and mother; she was fiercely loyal and protective of her family and went above and beyond to make them happy. No day ever passed by without them knowing how much she loved them. There was nothing that she would not do for them. She helped her children make their dreams come true and fortunate enough through God’s will to see them in great careers of their own. Diane was a lovely person with many passions in life. From sewing bridesmaid dresses, cooking baked goods and meals from scratch, doing resumes for people and helping them get jobs, being well versed on financial matters, among other skills. She truly possessed so much important knowledge and was always happy to share it with others. She wore so many hats and gave one hundred percent to everything. She was so successful at everything because she always kept God as the focus of everything she did. She gave Him thanks for allowing her to be a steward for others. She was always humble, never prideful and imparted so much wisdom to those around her. Even though she was only fifty-six years old, she was wise far beyond her years.

As a deeply religious person, Diane was a faithful and devout follower of the Catholic faith and servant to the Lord. She found immense joy by volunteering at her home church, Holy Spirit Catholic Parish, by teaching religious education and Catechism on a weekly basis to various age groups; helping them prepare for holy sacraments such as their First Communion and Confirmation. She also loved volunteering at domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters and providing support to those in need. She also gave her time to many other worthy organizations. She was truly a pillar of the community.

Diane is survived by her husband of thirty-one years, George Eric Roberts, her daughter, Aerial Lauren Roberts; and her son, Cameron George Roberts. In addition, she leaves behind her father, Will Shepherd Sr.; her mother, Dorothy Shepherd; her treasured aunt, Gertrude May; brothers, Will Shepherd Jr. and Alphonso Shepherd; sisters, Theresa Shepherd Scott and Valerie Shepherd McAdams. She also leaves behind her nieces, and nephews, many close cousins she grew up with in Birmingham, whom she considered siblings, as well as her family by marriage, whom she always considered to be her own family. In addition, she leaves behind many amazing, gracious, and supportive friends she met throughout her journey in life.

We gather to celebrate the beautiful life of Diane Shepherd Roberts, an amazing, wonderful, and selfless woman. She was always a happy person, rarely was she ever sad. Always the giver and seldom asking for much in return. She lived her life putting others needs before her own, as Jesus Christ our Savior, calls us to do. Her faith, even during times of immense physical pain never wavered, and she was truly ready to begin her eternal journey with the Lord. While her physical presence will forever be missed, her spirit will always live in the hearts of those who loved her. A true angel has gone home to God to receive her wings.

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