Nellie J Roberts

I, Nellie J. Foots, arrived in a tent on the Oklahoma Reservation, Sunday, October 18, 1936. A major event happened this year, Jesse Owens won four Gold medals at the summer Olympics in Berlin and the Rural Electrification Act became law, bringing electricity to more remote parts of the country.  
I arrived in Kansas City, MO, in 1942, when I was only seven years of age. I attended Garrison School and St. Monica Catholic schools of Kansas City, MO. During my upbringing, I remember the sounds of music, the beat of a drum and instruments to aid anyone’s heart with the sounds of live band music. I marched with Wayne Minor Drum & Bugle Core in 1954, where I also attended R.T. Coles High School. I enjoyed dancing just as much as I loved to make people feel beautiful with the tips of my fingers. I was a proud cosmetologist and completed the trade at Manuel Beauty School of Cosmetology.  

My love and devotion continued as a cosmetologist for many years, and it was lovely to see how my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all followed the family trade I created long ago. I held many positions in my day that carried me to sharing my heart with anyone whom I could encounter. I devoted my time to Rosetta House of Charm, Lovie McDonald Beauty Salon, Consolidated Cab Stand, and finally, 37 loving years as a Receptionist and Transportation Driver for Swope Parkway Health Center where my grand and great-grandchildren used to sneak to work with me daily. I was there where I met many individuals I called family.  

My older days I enjoyed being a grand-foster parent, such a fulfilling time of my life’s journey, Bus Driver for Manual High School for cheerleaders, and a driver for Western Electric. My purpose was always to love and give with no motive. I loved everyone and invited everyone into my life with purity, a nonjudgmental approach toward everyone. 
I was given to my parents, Elijah Foots and Louisa Armstrong, with fellowship of my honorary parents Reverend Lawrence Williams and Eartha Williams and joined them on April 13, 2023. The last few years of my life I have lived in a space of love.

So many of us have reunited including both sets of my parents; son, Clarence Chaney III; stepson, Jimmie Turner; sisters, Leanna Jones, Mayola Jackson, Brenda Rucker, Ronita Williams, and Edwina Cann; brothers, Billie Roundtree and Ronnie Williams; and great-grandchildren, Taurean Stephens, Marlawn Chaney, Rontez Stephens, and Sterling Gates Chaney.
I leave behind four generations: two daughters, Shirl Fuller and Vonda Chaney Logan (Stephen); three sons, William Chaney, Jr. (Linda), Vernon Glover, and Eric Glover; stepchildren, James Cephus and Juanita Turner; including my honorary siblings, Lillian A. Spinks (Aunt Ann), Gilda Cage of Kansas City, MO, Bishop Lawrence E. Williams, Jr., (Thelma) of Washington, Anita Rucker–Burns of Des Moines, IA; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews; and a very special sister-in-love, Joyce Law. 
My name will always be placed in hearts by the smile and impression I left unto others. I will be forever “G-G,” “Gangsters Granny,” “Queen of Camp Norton,” and “Lady J.” 

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