Our People: Woman of many talents

Born and raised in Clovis, Doris Roberts is proud be from this part of the world and proud of the family she has raised here. Roberts has been married to her sweetheart Jimmy since 1962 and together the couple has four children, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A woman of many talents, Roberts has contributed to the local economy throughout her lifetime - owning and operating businesses ranging from floral design and wedding supplies to her current project: antiqued and handmade goods sold from her storefront, Lavender and Rust, located at 720 Mitchell.

Q: How would your family describe you? In one phrase or word.

A: The boss ... (The) fact is that they just gave me a new t-shirt that I didn't really think anything about, but they were trying to tell me (something.) (The shirt read,) "Most people think it, she just says it."

Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?

A: My children. All of my grandchildren. You know I tell people, "I don't have a lot of money. I probably never will, but I (have) got to be one of the richest people in the world because those kids are my jewels."

Q: If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

A: I want to go on a steamboat ride down the rivers ... I want to do that so bad. For one day I would love to do that ... I don't like the ocean (so) that's as close as you're gonna get me.

Q: If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?

A: Probably 1970 ... I would like to talk to my dad again.

Q: If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?

A: Powers? I don't know that I have an answer for that. ... Make people feel better. ... That's what I would do, just be able to make them feel better. ... I don't know how we do that but that's what I'd like to do really bad right now.

Q: Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

A: Well I suppose Doris (Day) ... she'd work. She'd do a good job too .... and she's a part of my past. She would do good.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to your grandchildren and the next generation?

A: Give of yourself. ... Give of (your) time.

Q: What is your favorite family holiday tradition?

A: Oh, we have so many. We do, we have lots, (but) probably Christmas. ... We exchange names, we do (a) fire pit thing ... we do the cookie exchange thing. We do lots of things.

Q: What is one thing you will never do again?

A: I was on the ocean one time and I'm not ever going to do that ocean again. ... It's too much. I think it's too cold, too dark, and no bottom. I have it in my head (that) if I can see that land, I can swim to it. But when there is no land, it's like (no way). I was little when I was on that boat too. It scared the snot out of me. (I decided) I'm not going back.

Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?

A: My dad teaching me to drive his Mack truck. I loved it. ... Back in those days they had 40 gears in them. ... He would clutch it and I tell you, by the time I was 10, I could change every gear. ... I would sit in his lap and he would do the clutching and he taught me how to find every one of those gears. That was such fun. I used to beg to go on a trip with him, so I could drive the truck.