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Shirley Crandell Roberson was born on February 4, 1960 to the late Joe Louis Crandell and Mattie Stancil Crandell in Martin County. On Friday, December 29, 2023 she completed her assignment and departed peacefully at her home. Shirley attended Roanoke High School in Robersonville and graduated in 1978. She was proud of being a cheerleader during high school but was most happy when she met and married her high school sweetheart, Russell Roberson, Sr. Together they had three children, one of whom passed away on December 29, 1983; little Alicia Roberson, born on January 4, 1983. Shirley always challenged herself to become better and was constantly on the journey to learn more. She attended Martin Community College and spent the majority of her professional work career at West Point Pepperell in Hamilton, NC and NACCO in Greenville, NC where she eventually retired. She always let it be known that the job she did was one mostly done by men but of course she did it better than any man ever could. Shirley always knew her value and made sure that others did to. After retirement, Shirley became laser focused on fulfilling her spiritual purpose and serving God and her community with all of her heart. She began this journey however early in life by becoming a member at Wynn Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. She served as a member of the usher board and then later joined the choir. She orchestrated many Christian plays utilizing church members as well as other people throughout the community. She accepted the call to the ministry at Wynn Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and was ordained under the Middle Ground Association by the Executive Board on March 27, 2004. She worked with many ministries throughout her Chrisitan journey but the one most dear to her heart was the one she founded in 2009. It was called Empowerment for Today’s World Ministries with a mission to introduce people to go and empower them and others to live a Godly lifestyle in today’s world. She was also extremely passionate about serving at the Saint Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church Food Bank in Greenville, NC. Shirley was truly a servant in her community faithfully working alongside her husband at Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Robersonville, NC where she later became a member. On Friday, December 29, 2023, forty years to the date, Little Alicia Roberson came to escort her mom to her heavenly home. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Linda Knight; half-sister, Mary Knight Purvis; brothers-in-law, Charlie Grimes, Clyde Knight Evangelist Shirley leaves to cherish her memories her husband of 46 years, Pastor Dr. Russell Roberson, Sr; two children, Russell Donell Roberson, Jr (Kathy) of Raleigh, NC, LaToya Roberson Patrick (Gary) of Benson, NC; five grandsons, Sean Davis, Marcus Davis, Jevon Roberson, Gabriel Patrick, Nazir Patrick; two granddaughters, Kyra Davis and Aliysha Roberson; three brothers, Clifton Crandell (Yvonne) of Atlanta, GA, Wayne Crandell (Vita) of Clayton, NC, and Dwayne Crandell (Vivian) of Greenville, NC; four sisters, Margaret Grimes of Knightdale, NC, Evelyn Clyburn of Knightdale, NC, Joann Crandell Shepherd of Knightdale, NC, Karen Crandell of Robersonville, NC; a host of nieces, nephews, God children who she served and loved as her own. Also her dear teacher/children’ God parents, Thomas and Nancy Chavis.

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Evangelist Shirley Crandell Roberson

February 4, 1960 - December 29, 2023