Gloria Billings Roberts, pictured left, as a Freshman in the Golden Legend '71 yearbook
Saint Leo and the Billings Family Story
When Saint Leo University celebrated its 125-year anniversary
in 2014, Dr. Heather Parker contributed to the
commemoration by starting a local oral history project
that focused on people and families who were involved
with Saint Leo down through the generations.
6 FALL 18 Spirit Magazine
By Jo-Ann Johnston
This work parallels her own, more focused
scholarly research into the relationship between
African-Americans living locally, who were generally
from Protestant congregations, and the
distinctly Catholic Saint Leo.
Among Parker’s recorded interviews is one with Gloria
Billings Roberts, who had been a Saint Leo student
and employee. Her husband, Levy Roberts, was also a
Saint Leo employee. Roberts grew up in the local area
and attended public schools during an era of mandatory
integration. Her family, the Billingses, lived nearby and had
many employment connections with Saint Leo. Roberts
even worked part time in the girl’s cafeteria from 1967 to
1970 while in high school. It is worth knowing that during
Roberts’ childhood, it was the norm for many public
schools locally to be segregated. Integration in some
areas in Florida and elsewhere came about as late as 1970,
prompted by a court order. The atmosphere at campus
apparently differed from other environs, though. Roberts
entered Saint Leo College in 1970.
Parker, now associate dean of the College of Arts and
Sciences, asked Roberts about her college experience and
about the personal and family connections with Saint Leo
over many years for the oral history project.
Dr. Heather Parker with a visual display of some of her research
into Saint Leo’s early history.