Iva Jean Roberson

Bringing delight and smiles to every student she taught, Iva Jean Roberson, passed away peacefully on April 12 after a short illness. She had a lively passion for education, social activities, and loved playing bridge.

She leaves to mourn her passing: loving grandchildren, Tracey Marie Jones, Walter “Rusty” F. Roberson III; great-grandchildren, Tylor Khiyan Jones and Bryanna Marie Jones; daughter-in-law, Lorraine Roberson Coleman; sister-in-law, Ora Lee Robertson; niece, Wendy Taylor, niece, Jackie Starnes; two nephews, Dane Pendergrass, and Brian Pendergrass; great niece and God-daughter Mia Thomas, great niece Roslyn Pendergrass, great nephews, Reginald Pendergrass, Ralph Johnson, and Brian Pendergrass; faithful cousins, Latrell Bowers, Herberlene Blair;  Wanda Pendergrass Grissom, and Charles Pendergrass; “special daughter” Deborah Freeman, and a host of loving relatives, social sisters, friends and former students.

Iva Jean was born April 17^th, 1923, to Verge and Nora Pendergrass in Dickson, Tennessee. She was the fourth child of five children, and the baby girl in the family. After graduating from Hampton High School in Dickson, she married her sweetheart, Walter F, Roberson Sr., and they had one son, Walter, Jr.

Later they moved to Nashville, Tennessee and she obtained both her bachelor’s and Master of Arts degrees from Tennessee State University. After graduating with her master’s in teaching she taught elementary school for more than 20 years in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Iva Jean spent her free time traveling, playing bridge, and working in her garden. She also loved being involved with several civic groups including the Pacesetters Inc., the National Council of Negro Women; the national sorority of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.; the national sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc; and the Nashville chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction of which she was a founding member.

She was predeceased by her parents Verge and Nora; her siblings, Susie Pendergrass Nesbitt, Jessie Pendergrass, Ardrey Pendergrass, and Virgil Pendergrass; her husband Walter Sr, and her son, Walter, Jr.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, April 21, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 949 T S Jackson Ave, Nashville, TN 37209. Family visitation will be at the church beginning on Thursday 10 am; social services beginning at 10:30, and funeral at 11:00am. After funeral services, family and friends will assemble for burial at the Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville-Davidson, TN 37204.