Good Morning America host Robin Roberts‘ mother Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts died Thursday night in Mississippi at the age of 88.

The television host, who was recently diagnosed with MDS, announced Thursday that she would be leaving the show one day earlier than expected for her medical leave (she’s to undergo a bone marrow transplant) because of some issues at home.

Robin Roberts Takes Leave from ‘GMA’ Early

In a note distributed to ABC staff members, Tom Cibrowski, senior executive producer of Good Morning America, wrote, “Robin arrived home with her sister Sally Ann forging through flooded and blocked roads to be with her beloved Mother in time to see her. It has always been clear where Robin got her strength, faith and spirit. You didn’t need to look far.”

The note also said that Lucimarian “was the first African American to head Mississippi’s Board of Education. She loved the written word and the poetry and joy of song. She even recorded a CD of hymns for her family as a gift last year.”

God bless Robin Roberts and her family.

[image: People]