Altamese Roberts

Altamese Roberts was born on May 16, 1927, in Jacksonville Florida. The eldest of 5 Children, born to the Union of Juanita Holmes Shields (deceased) and Steven Edward Shields (deceased). Altamese flourished, as the oldest and bossiest of her siblings.

She was an active and dedicated member of St. Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Church located in Jacksonville Florida. Altamese attended St. Stephen from birth and was proud to be one of the oldest living members. She held many different positions at the church over the years; however, she was most proud of being a Trustee, a Class Leader and her biggest joy was as the President of Usher Board #1. She continued to serve her beloved St. Stephen AME Church, until her death.

Altamese grew up in the Duval County School system, graduating from Old Stanton High School in 1945. She attended Florida A & M University formerly FAMC from 1945-1947. She married Henry Roberts(deceased) in July of 1946, leaving FAMC at the end of the 1947 school year to move back to Jacksonville from Tallahassee, to be with her new husband. To their Union, was born a son, Donald Roberts, also born in Jacksonville, Florida on August 26, 1949. Determined to complete her education, Altamese enrolled in Walker Junior College, completing a 1-year Business Course, from 1947-1948. After having her son in 1949, Altamese decided to raise her then newborn while still pursuing her education. She began her career in Healthcare at Brewster Hospital in Jacksonville in 1952, as a Nurses Aid. She later became the first African American Degreed X-ray Technologist in Jacksonville. (1955) She continued to work as a Registered X-ray Technician for Brewster Hospital until it Closed in 1966. Altamese continued her career as an Xray technician at Shands Jacksonville, formerly Duval Medical Center, retiring in 1978. Her work Journey was not yet complete.

Altamese decided to become a Real Estate Agent the very same year she retired from Shands. She valued the opportunity to find homes for people and became well known in the industry, as a reliable and honest Realtor. Altamese worked for George Barnes Realty for more than 10 years before finally, retiring to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Altamese leaves to mourn, her Loving Sister, Ruth Gary (Herman, deceased) of Jacksonville, Florida; Her Sister, Delores Newsom (Luther); two Brothers, Johnny Shields (Janet) and Cornelius Shields (Shirley) predeceased her. Also left to mourn are her two daughters, Sheron Moody (Harry) and Tamara Feagins (Tim); Grandson, Elliott Darnell Roberts; Granddaughter, Michon Pride; Great Granddaughter, Kierstin Danielle Roberts; devoted nephews, Byron Pride and Ismael Sharpe; devoted Brother-in-Law, Luther
Newsom; Sisters- in- law, Shirley Shields and Janet Shields; cousin, Frances Cheeseborough. Altamese also, left behind a host of Nieces, Nephew, Cousins, and Friends, who will always remember her for her feistiness, unpretentiousness and for loving them unconditionally.

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