Roberta Burse

Life and Legacy

Roberta Burse, the tenth and youngest child of Gladys and Waymon Bryant was born in New York City, on April 10, 1938.

She attended elementary and junior high school in the South Bronx where she was raised.  When the Forest Avenue neighborhood she grew up in was selected as the site for the Forest Houses her family was relocated to the North Bronx where she attended and graduated from Evander Childs High School.

She married Charlton Smith Burse in 1957 and had four children, Charlton C. Burse, Antonio Burse, Curtis W. Burse, and Andrea Burse. Shortly after Roberta and Charlton (Chuck Sr.) got married they moved to 810 Soundview Avenue in the Bronx.  There this young family became part of the extended family known as the “ABCs” (Aiken, Burse, Carroll).  Roberta’s feisty personality made her memorable to everyone she met including her doctors, co-workers, friends and family.  She spoke what was on her mind. You could either love it or leave. One of her favorite expressions was “I’m not complaining, I’m just explaining”.

Her formal work career began in 1968 as an Educational Assistant with the New York City Board of Education.  She worked in Early Childhood Education before becoming an Assistant, Intermediate School Computer Instructor.

While balancing raising her children and working, she managed to graduate from the College of New Rochelle School of New Resources with a BA Degree.

Meanwhile, her journey as a civil servant began in September 1984, with the Department of Personnel. She was assigned to the Certification Division as a Supervisor in the Data Entry Unit. On weekends, she worked as a Supervising Examiner in Administration. In 1996 the Department of Personnel and the Department of General Services merged and became the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).

Roberta became an active member and advocate on several committees, she worked relentlessly with DC37 and Local 1549 as a Delegate Shop Steward, and as a DCAS Chapter Vice Chair and Chairperson. She also attended many conferences and conventions around the country with these groups.

As much as Roberta loved her career, she loved her parents, siblings, children, Soundview family, and work family even more. She loved Monroe Day with her Soundview family, sometimes attending their personal family reunions as well as her own family reunions. If she knew your birthday you could expect a birthday card or gift certificate. When those oldies but goodies came on the radio or were played at a party don’t expect her to remain seated. She was on the dance floor or participating in the sing a long. She even found time to enjoy trips to Atlantic City. She enjoyed finger lickin soul food and a good waffle topped with fresh strawberries. However, prepare for a tongue lashing if you served it with frozen strawberries.

As her life’s journey has come to an end she leaves behind her son Curtis William Burse grandson Anthony Stevens Burse, devoted God Son Herbert Carroll, God Daughter Tara Aikens Champion, as well as a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends stretching from coast to coast.

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