JANIS LUKE ROBERTS
“A LIFE WELL LOVED”
Janis Luke Roberts was born on August 31, 1952, in Ocilla, Georgia to O.L. Luke, Jr. and Eloise Royal Luke of Irwin County. She went to be with the Lord on May 25, 2016, in Tifton, Georgia.
Janis led a happy, exciting life growing up with her big sister Karen and many friends and cousins from her mother’s side of the family. There were family get-togethers, Church gatherings, and Royal Singing Conventions that kept the family close and active. The religious upbringing, family closeness, and hard work values that were instilled into Janis by her parents followed her throughout her life.
Janis met the love of her life, Oscar Roberts, when she was a young teenager, and they had their first date when she was fourteen and a freshman at Irwin County High School. They never dated anyone else. Janis was active at ICHS as a cheerleader, Homecoming Court attendant, and a representative to Georgia Girls’ State where she was elected Lieutenant Governor. When she later graduated as a member of the class of 1970, she headed off to Valdosta State College to pursue a degree in secretarial science. At VSC she became an active member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and made life-long friends who were still a part of her life.
After Janis graduated from VSC, she and Oscar were married on December 30th, 1971, at Frank Primitive Baptist Church in Ocilla. She immediately joined Oscar in Tallahassee, Florida, where he was a student and football player at FSU. Janis took a job in the Geology Department at FSU and continued to support and cheer for Oscar on the field, just as she did at ICHS. They lived and worked in Tallahassee until opportunity called them first to Valdosta and then back to Ocilla in 1974.
As the young couple began a family of their own, they moved into her old family home and life became busy in another way. She and Oscar became the proud parents of three boys -Scott, Luke, and Rhett. As the family grew, the family built their beautiful home at Sizland Acres – a home which would be the scene of too many gatherings to count – birthday parties, wedding showers, pool parties, wedding rehearsals, baby showers, Christmas celebrations, reunions, and many family gatherings. Janis was a wonderful and gracious hostess with a flair for entertaining. Her imagination and creative genius were unmatched and there was never a dull moment at the Roberts’ home.
In mid 1981, as her boys were getting older, Janis had a vision that would change her life and the lives of those around her. She decided to take her creative talents into another realm – that of clowning. She became Clancey the Clown, delivering balloon bouquets and singing telegrams to people of all ages. She livened up the city of Ocilla and surrounding towns with her comedic antics, entering a nursing home room, marching down a school hall, or appearing on stage with her signature greeting: Hey Everybody! She was called upon constantly to perform for birthdays, celebrations, and other events.
After a few years, Janis was introduced to a more professional aspect of clowning. She attended her first clown conference, Puttin’ on the Grits, in Bainbridge, Georgia, and the world opened its door. Janis became a professional entertainer and her success led to her own Clancey doll, her own book, How Do You Get to Smileville, a trip to the White House Easter Egg Hunt with Willard Scott, and teaching Advanced Studies in The Art of Clowning with her dear friends, Buttons, Mama Clown, Pinky and Cilly, known as The Clique. She had more offers than she could fill and she changed the atmosphere of the world around her. Janis became another personality when she donned “ Clancey” attire. Her creative genius continued as she created four other unique clown personalities: Nurse Goodbody, Firm Perm, Rubye Heerow, and Special Edna.
Janis walked down the aisle of Frank Primitive Baptist Church on June 14, 1959, and became a lifelong member of her Church. She was always an active and energetic addition to the membership. She taught Bible Study, sang in the choir, was a charter member of the Lamplighters’ Circle, helped type the weekly Church bulletin, served as a member of the cooking groups, brought the first Christmas Advent program honoring Christ’s birth to Frank Church, and created, wrote, and directed the first outdoor pageant at Frank Church “For Unto You is Born a Saviour.” She also started the famous Secret Pal program at Frank Church– a tradition that has added to the lives of the members at Frank Church. Everything she had a hand in is still a tremendous part of her Church.
As Janis and Oscar’s boys grew old enough to play every sport imaginable, they always had a strong advocate and supporter in their mom. She embellished every sporting event with the Tomahawk Chop and the War Cry. She cheered for her boys and all of the other team participants. She continued to support Scott and Luke as they entered into the coaching field. Her last attendance at a sporting event was at the GHSA State Championship Tennis Meet in Atlanta on May 7th, 2016.
Janis, who was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished Anma, and faithful friend, leaves behind her loving husband of almost 45 years, Oscar Roberts; three sons: Scott Roberts, Luke (Jaime) Roberts, and Rhett Roberts, eight precious grandchildren: Riley Roberts, Alison Roberts, Lainey Roberts, Eli Roberts, Emily Kade Roberts, Ty Roberts, Ella Roberts, and Lana Roberts, her sister Karen Luke Jackson of Hendersonville, North Carolina, brother Royal Luke of Anthony, Florida, her aunt Hazel McCormick of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and many special relatives and friends.
The homegoing service celebrating the amazing life of Janis Roberts was held at her beloved Frank Primitive Baptist Church on Friday, May 27th. Her pastor, Elder Edward McIntyre conducted the 2:00 P.M. service in the presence of an overflowing crowd of family and loved ones, including her closest clown friends. The sanctuary and social hall were filled to capacity with beautiful floral arrangements and people wishing to pay their respects. Recorded piano music by Luke Roberts played as the family entered and departed from the service. Andi McWhorter played beforehand and as Alan and Nathan Martin sang “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be.” Gloria Brown sang “Some Call it Heaven, I Call it Home” and a short medley of other songs, and Pinky and Cilly sang “Heaven’s Connection.” Raye Dill Young, one of Janis’ many close friends, spoke for all who loved Janis as she reflected on “A Life Well-Loved.” Serving as Pall Bearers were Chad Sumner, Phillip Roberts, Jason Royal, Jonathan Jackson, Joe Royal, and Brice Thompson.
Graveside services were conducted at the Frank Church Cemetery. Brother Edward McIntyre also led this service. The assembled group sang the first verse of “This Little Light of Mine,” and Karen Luke Jackson, Janis’ devoted sister, spoke and read a poem as a tribute to Janis.
Anyone wishing to send a memorial may contact Frank Church Cemetery Fund % Warren Mixon, P.O. Box 145, Ocilla, GA 31774, or the Frank Primitive Baptist Church Memorial Fund, % Walter Sumner, P.O. Box 112, Ocilla, GA 31774, or, because of her passion for children, Irwin County DFCS, 108 N. Irwin Avenue, Ocilla, Georgia 31774.