Josie Ernestine Sermons Roberts

Published 8:28 pm Friday, September 30, 2016

Josie Ernestine Sermons Roberts, 77, of Edgewater, Florida, and formerly of Washington, NC, passed away on Aug. 23, 2016, with daughter Catharine and granddaughter Shelby at her side.

Jo was born to the late Wayland J. Sermons and Ernestine Keel Sermons in Greenville, NC. While growing up she attended local schools in Washington and Greenville, choosing Washington in which to raise her three children, Robin, Catharine and Scott. Having delayed her education, she enrolled and attended Beaufort County Technical College and began a career in the Microbiology Lab at Beaufort County Hospital. Always striving for knowledge, she enrolled at East Carolina University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. Continuing her education Jo then attended and graduated with honors from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Graduate Program in Public Health.

Jo always loved the water, and sailing became her passion. She was proud owner of the sailing vessel Narnia, her 34 foot sailboat. She became a member of The River Rats Yacht Club at Jordan Creek, frequently sailing throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Many articles were written about Jo, who would single-hand her beloved Narnia and pioneer the women aboard movement in the sailing world.

Jo is survived by her son Harry Lee (Robin) Roberts, III and wife Cathy of Williamston, NC, daughter Catharine Roberts Hoehn and husband Michael of Ormond Beach, Fl, and son Wayland Scott Roberts and partner Paul Sgmbato of Pottstown, Pa., Grandchildren Shelby Yant and Tristan Roberts, brothers Wayland J. Sermons, Jr. and wife Penny of Washington, NC, Carl Winston (Cappy) Sermons of Washington, NC, sisters Lois Sermons Edgerton of West Los Angeles, Anne Sermons Gillis and husband Jim Gibson of Spring, Texas, Sue Sermons Tarlton and husband Vernon of Hickory, NC and Carol Sermons Samuelson and husband Frank of Monroe, Ga. Jo was also blessed to find extended family in Billy, Deborah and Megan Godfrey of Edgewater, Fl.
Jo, an avid reader, asked that any memorials be sent to the George H. & Laura E. Brown Library in Washington, N.C.