Robin Roberts started her medical leave of absence a day early so that she could fly to Mississippi to say goodbye to her ailing mother, who died several hours later.
Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts, 88, passed away Thursday, surrounded by family … including daughter Robin and the rest of her siblings.
GMA co-anchor George Stephanopoulos read from a note that had been distributed to ABC staff members Thursday night: “Robin did make it home to Mississippi to say goodbye.”
“Robin arrived home with her sister Sally Ann forging through flooded and blocked roads to be with her beloved Mother in time to see her. It has always been clear where Robin got her strength, faith and spirit. You didn’t need to look far.”
Lucimarian was the first African American to head Mississippi’s Board of Education. She was passionate about music and authored ‘My Story, My Song’ in collaboration with her daughter.
During a 2006 presentation to the student body at Abilene Christian University, Roberts credited her mother with instilling in her children the “three Ds: Discipline, Determination, and De Lord.”
The family matriarch is survived by four children: Robin, Sally-Ann, Butch and Dorothy.
Check out the touching video below:
Photo: Video Screen Grab