NC Humorist Dies Unexpectedly At 77 - WRAL

Local News'All the angels are laughing': NC humorist dies unexpectedly at 77

Jeanne Roberston, a well-known humorist and motivational speaker from Graham, died unexpectedly on Saturday, according to her professional Facebook page.

Posted 1:06 a.m. Aug 22, 2021 — Updated 12:39 p.m. Aug 23, 2021NO TITLE PROVIDEDBy Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producerGRAHAM, N.C. — Jeanne Robertson, a well-known humorist and motivational speaker from Graham, died unexpectedly on Saturday, according to her professional Facebook page.

Robertson, 77, was struggling with severe illness not related to COVID-19, the Facebook post said.

She got her start to fame in 1963, when she was named Miss North Carolina. Since, she has written four books, spoken at the White House, and was president of the National Speaker's Association, according to her website.

She's known for her stage presence— Jeanne Robertson is more than 6 feet tall, southern and hilarious.

Her husband, Jerry Ray Robertson, died in June of this year. He was captain of the Duke University men's basketball team in the late 50s.

Jeanne Robertson served on the Board of Trustees at Elon University, where her son attended. The pair received Elon Medallions in 2017 in recognition of their service to the university, according to Elon University's website.

"We are sure Jeanne is now telling stories in heaven, all the angels are laughing," her Facebook page said.

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