Robin Roberts' Mom, Lucimarian, Gone At 88

Robin Roberts lost her mother yesterday. The affable Good Morning America host was supposed to take leave from the program today to deal with her myelodysplastic syndrome, but when her mother’s health took a turn for the worse, she decided to cut out a day early to make sure she made it home on time.

According to People, Roberts and her sister Sally Ann both braved the bad weather that’s taken a toll on Mississippi in order to say their goodbyes. They navigated through flooded areas, took detours away from bypassed roads and basically, moved heaven and Earth. There’s no word on what may have been said during any final exchanges, but given the family, whatever was said was definitely thoughtful.

Matriarch Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts always had a gift for words. She wrote poetry, sang hymns and served as the first African American head of Mississippi’s Board of Education. Her faith was unshakeable and her strength was never questioned. She was eighty-eight when she passed.

Pop Blend’s sincerest thoughts go out to Robin and the rest of her family. This will no doubt be a huge blow for her to deal with, but maybe, in the grand scheme of things, it’s better for her to be able to grieve for her mother first and then worry about improving herself second.