Faith, Charity, Compassion

I’ve got to figure out what to do with this money,” said Roberta Stephens not long after she retired in 2014. Pat Kelley recalls her sister’s remark, and that Roberta began to schedule meetings with advisors. The two lived close to each other south of Seattle where Roberta remained until her death in 2022 at the age of 74.

Before her retirement, Roberta had roamed the globe. Inspired by a visiting missionary at church when she was in first grade, Roberta set her sights on following a similar path. “Roberta was an amazing person and full of love,” remarks Pat.

Roberta’s twenties proved to be a time of preparation, leading her to the First Baptist Church of Pomona, California following college and, subsequently, mission courses at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena.

In 1977, the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society appointed Roberta to serve in Japan, where she remained for 37 years.

“Our parents loved to have people in our home and to host missionaries,” observes Pat. Growing up, the sisters absorbed their parents’ love of hospitality, service, and the Lord.

As the executor of her estate, Pat was not surprised to learn that Roberta was generous with her financial resources as well, including a legacy gift to MMBB. As co-executors, Pat and her husband, Dave, discovered the extent of Roberta’s estate. Pat felt an immense responsibility to fulfill her sister’s charitable intentions faithfully.

Pat’s advice to family members in similar situations is to be patient with the process. The experience has led her and Dave to begin more open conversations about their plans with their adult children. “We have to get our act together!” she told Dave.

Put Your Love Into Action

Are you ready to join Roberta in establishing an estate gift to MMBB? Please contact Lisa Marie Gerondeau at (212) 870-8007 or lisa.gerondeau@mmbb.org today to get started.