Gemma Roberts

Services will be held at a later date for Gemma Denise Roberts, 55, who passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Gemma is survived by her son, Drake Bernard;  one brother, John Rene Roberts;  two nieces, Ashley Rae Roberts and Danielle Roberts-Simon;  and one great-nephew, Rylen Joseph Fontenot.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Denise Roberts;  and her nephew, Jas Riley Roberts.

To know Gemma was to know her laughter and quick wit, her love of animals, music, and celebrity gossip. To know a delicious meal prepared with care. To know a strong woman with a quiet faith and an outspoken voice. To know Gemma was to know a woman with a heart of gold.

If you were blessed and privileged to have known Gemma Roberts, then you know you couldn’t be in her company for too long without getting at least one good belly roll or hearing her infectious giggle shriek. (And pray you were never anywhere with her should a giggle or sneaky smile come forth when it shouldn’t!) Gemma had a quick wit and could keep up with the best of anyone with her sharp, gregarious tongue. She loved keeping up with current events and all the celebrity gossip, and any discussions with her were never dull.

Gemma’s quick wit could have made her a fine attorney or comedian, but she applied that wit and gab to a successful career as a most outstanding saleswoman for several companies. This woman could have sold snow to an Eskimo. You might have seen her enjoying the fruit of those earnings road tripping in her Jeep or Mustang. Her son and nieces particularly enjoyed those earlier days of travel with Gemma, traveling to Florida, New York, Maryland, and Washington DC. In later years, Gemma’s travel would be limited, but she was delighted to enjoy a final road trip to Indiana with her nieces and her grand nephew, Rylen. And although preferring road travel, Gemma’s generous heart braved her fear of flying enough to board an airplane to help a loved one in need. And that’s what Gemma did. When she was afraid, she leaned on her faith and did stuff afraid.

Gemma also loved cooking, and whether in a season of lack or plenty, that same generous heart extended to everyone - even breaking the bank to prepare for an unexpected guest or to prepare a holiday dinner.

Gemma also loved her music. Her eclectic playlist would include anything from R&B to Country to Hip Hop with artists like Tupac, Garth Brooks, The Bee Gees, or Cher. And if you REALLY knew Gemma, you’d know how she crushed on Mr. Bon Jovi for years.

And boy did Gemma love her fur babies! Mother to several dogs (particularly to her most precious Sebastian and Sugar), Gemma would have taken in every stray animal in the world if she could.

Above all, Gemma was devoted to her family. A good mother and a loyal daughter, Gemma’s sacrificial love ensured her son’s excellent care growing up and her parents’ care as they declined in health, seeing to it that they wanted for nothing and doing so with the utmost love and perseverance. As a sister no one could have asked for better. As an aunt, she modeled the strength of a woman to her nieces and was a second grandmother to her little nephew. As an extended sister in heart, there is still no better friend.

Gemma had a quiet faith. You might not have seen her at church, but she was the arms and feet of Jesus, whether it was giving to a stranger or stepping up as a godmother to assist in the upbringing of her niece when it mattered. You might not have seen her quote the Bible, but she read it through and through with flags and highlights throughout.

Gemma was a patriot. She believed everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Gemma was kind but guarded. You might not have seen her at many social events or family gatherings, but she loved her family fiercely. She cherished all the fun and rascal memories of childhood and adolescence with Rene and their cousins and later the fun, silly times with her son, her nieces and their mother, as well as the last most cherished times with her mother and father as she cared for them. When the more challenging seasons of adult life arose, Gemma remembered all whom she loves even now from heaven, and she lived her life with faith, courage, and LOVE. Bon Courage, dearest Gemma.

Walters Funeral Home, (337) 706-8941, is in charge of funeral arrangements.