Roberta Coe

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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 short-cut through
her family’s farm. He had a burlap bag slung over his shoulder and a pistol tucked in the waistban 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 was 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), Darren, Satanna, Amber, Jerry, Shaun, Shawn, Tommy, Stevin,
Shevin, Sahni, Joshua, Derrick, Darrell, Cherise, David, Keywana and Ashley. And many, many, greatgrandchildren