The Honorable Judge Debra Roberts
The Honorable Judge Debra Roberts, Sanford, Florida, July 31, 1953 – November 20, 2023.
Debra Roberts was born to David and Roberta Roberts on July 31,1953 in the City of Sanford. Debra attended the Public Schools of Seminole County and graduated from Seminole High School in the Class of 1971.
After graduating from Seminole High School, she enrolled at Seminole Junior College and received an Associate of Arts (AA) degree. From there, she enrolled at Florida Technical University (FTU) which is now the University of Central Florida (UCF) and received the Bachelor of Arts degree. While at UCF, Debra became a Charter member of Mu Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which was the first Black Greek letter organization at the University.
During her career in Law, Debra was the Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Business Regulations, Legal Advisor to the 6th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, and Senior Attorney for the Florida Supreme Court; she was the chief legal adviser to three Chief Judges for the Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Court, the States Courts Administrator and the Trial Courts Administrator for the Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Court. She was a General Magistrate and Hearing Officer presiding over thousands of cases in the Pasco and Pinellas Courts, hearing dissolution of marriage, alimony, child support, child custody, paternity, child visitation and adoption cases in circuit court and small claims court pre-trial hearings in county court. She was also responsible for the training and administrative supervision of the civil traffic infraction hearing officers who presided over night traffic court in Pasco and Pinellas Counties.
In January 2002, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Debra as a County Court Judge for Pasco County, FL. She was the first Black Judge in Pasco County where she honorably served the citizens of from 2002 to 2022. Pasco County citizens re-elected Judge Roberts in 2010 and 2016 (where she received more than fifty-seven percent (57%) of the votes.) Judge Roberts served as Acting Circuit Court Judge in the Criminal, Family and Probate Divisions. She was admitted as a counsellor and attorney of the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
In December 2022, Judge Roberts retired from the bench.
Judge Roberts leaves to mourn her death, an older brother, David Roberts, Jr. (Freda) of Rochester, New York; Special Cousins: Steven White of Apopka, Florida; Cynthia Hicks; Starletta Wiggins, Luvenia Campbell (Kenny); Lavern Williams (Johnny); Lindsey Hicks and Carlos Hicks, all of Sanford. Also, Nieces and Nephews: Mario Hicks; Shunda Williams; Harry Maurice Roberts; David Roberts III and a host of cousins and friends. She was Godmother to Shannon Johnson, JD (deceased.)
All services will be held Thursday, November 30 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 813 Pine Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771, Sammie Edwards, Pastor. Reverand Paul P. Wright, Eulogist.
The Omega ,Omega Service for Judge Debra Roberts will be at 11am.
Public viewing will be from 12n – 1pm.
Funeral services will be held at 1pm.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary, 1110 Pine Avenue, Sanford, Florida 32771 (407-322-5212.)
Continuing the legacy of Eunice I. Wilson