Minnie Esther Roberson Sterling, born the oldest daughter of Otis Herbert Roberson and American Ellen Shelley on April 27, 1910 in Collin County. She traveled to the heavens on September 17, 2012 comfortably at home in Prosper, TX. A Frisco student, Minnie graduated the 11th grade in 1929.

Her sisters and friends called her Minnie, her husband called her Esther, her children called her Mother and her grand children and great grand children called her Mama Minn.

William Ray Sterling and Minnie wed in the Prosper Presbyterian manse on December 15, 1930. Minnie and Ray purchased the farm east of Frisco in 1940. About 1954 Minnie and Ray went into business together doing upholstery and furniture restoration while still maintaining the farm. That business expanded into a full-scale decorator business known as "Squirrel's Hobby Shop" with custom made draperies & bedspreads to go with the upholstered furniture. Minnie retired from the custom drapery and upholstery business about mid 1980's and resumed her passion of hand smocking and sewing baby and little girl dresses.

Prosper became their new address in September of 2001. She continued sewing almost daily and collecting friends, turning out a couple of dresses per week until mid September 2012.

Minnie lived a full and adventurous 102 plus years. Her children were constantly amused by how easily their Mother collected, and kept, long-term loyal friendships.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ray of almost 72 full years, one brother Herb Roberson, two sisters, Ethel Mae Hughes & Lucile Luper, great granddaughter Amanda Griffin, and granddaughter Jamie Rae Sterling.

Surviving Minnie is two sisters, Lorene Gilliland, and Doris Waltrip, five children and their spouses, Thelma & Robert Griffin, James & Judy Sterling, Homer G. & Catherine Sterling, Pat & Patricia Sterling, Nancy & Randy Tyler. Eleven grandchildren, Tim, Chris, Bo, and Barry Griffin, Shawn Sterling, Liesl Triplett, Colette Tjernagel, Kimberly Lang, Bridget Carpenter, Tiffany Lacy, and Bryan Sterling. There were 24 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren left without their Mama Minn's frequent attentions, along with numerous nieces, nephews and adopted family members.

A Funeral Service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Frisco on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. A visitation will be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Frisco on Sunday, September 23, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

taken from The Dallas Morning News