It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Vertia M. Rollins.

Vertia M. Rollins, a resident of Tallahassee, and daughter of the late Diamond and Gertrude Gavin of Wakulla County, Florida, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the comfort of her home. She was 97 years old.

Viewing will be from 12 P.M. to 5 P.M. EDT at Strong and Jones Funeral Home followed by The Wake at 6:00 P.M. at New Bridge Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 1282 Spring Creek Highway, Crawfordville, Florida 32327, Friday, May 22, 2026.

Homegoing service will be Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 11:00 A.M, at the Old West Florida Enrichment Center, 2344 Lake Bradford Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32310. Burial will be at the Southside Cemetery in Tallahassee.

Vertia was converted and baptized in September 1943 at New Bridge Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Wakulla County, Florida, where she maintained a lifelong membership. Graduating from Florida A&M College in 1954, she pursued a successful teaching career that spanned more than twenty-five years in Wakulla County, Florida; Newburgh, New York; Heidelberg, Germany for the U.S. Department of Defense Dependents School System; and at Griffin Middle School in Leon County, Florida. An engaging teacher and mentor, she taught Home Economics, Life Skills, and Science and was selected as Teacher of the Year at Griffin in 1989. She took great pride in having been recognized by the Successful Men of Tomorrow at Griffin and the Leon Vocational Association for 21 years of dedicated service in 1994. She was also recognized by Forecast/Coed Magazine, published by Scholastic Magazines, after winning a national competition among Home Economic teachers and was featured in its 1979 edition.

She was married to the late Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Rollins, a career military officer, in 1952, and to this union four children were born. Vertia traveled extensively for twenty years supporting her husband’s tours of duty in Germany and throughout the United States. During that time, she was very active with the American Red Cross, the Girl Scouts of America, and the Officers’ Wives Club, repeatedly winning contests for decorative table setting—her forte. Known for her classy sense of style and “can do” approach to life, she will be deeply missed by family and friends alike. Her prize-winning peach cobbler, often personally delivered when friends or loved ones were ill or in bereavement, became her special calling card. Among other affiliations, she was a member of the FAMU Alumni Association, a charter member of the Tallahassee Chapter of Drifters, Inc., the Order of Eastern Star, and the NAACP. She faithfully supported her husband’s longstanding role as chair of the Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame, lending her special touch and valuable culinary and table setting skills to help create a memorable experience for inductees. When his health declined, she also served as her husband’s surrogate on U.S. Senator Bob Graham’s West Point Academy Nominating Board. In 2017, she was fondly honored by the Charmettes, Inc., Leon County Chapter, during their Third Annual Dr. Eva C. Wanton Recognition Luncheon for her inspirational legacy. Subsequently, in January 2019, she was awarded a Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Membership Appreciation Award by New Bridge Hope Missionary Baptist Church for her faithful and dedicated service.
Vertia leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Lydia R. Mount (Vincent) and Barbara R. McGriff of Tallahassee; two sons, Wendell K. Rollins (Sintra) and Norman K. Rollins (Cheryl) of Tallahassee. She also leaves a loving sister-in-law, Geraldine Gavin of Tallahassee; and several grandchildren including: Dr. Bobbi Mount, Darius Mount (Shena), Attorney Tiffany Mount, Dr. Beverly Mount, April McGriff, Tyrone McGriff, Jr. (Cashata), Lauren O’Toole (Jason), Nigel Todd, Keviron Rollins (Nicole Rollins, Mother), Antonio Floyd (Kiyonna), and Timothy Floyd, Jr.

Her great-grandchildren include: Tamia McSwain; Solomon Mount; Luke Mount; Carrie McGriff; Tyrone McGriff, III; E’lodie O’Toole; Leonie O’Toole; and Alonis Floyd. She also leaves several nieces, nephews, and cousins of the Gavin, Williams, Gwyn, Hargrett, Rollins, Rolle, Bowe, Missick, and Harp families. In addition to her parents and late husband, Vertia was predeceased by her three siblings--Clarence Gavin, Florida Gavin, and Ruth Williams; granddaughter Danielle Mount; and son-in-law, Tyrone McGriff, Sr.

On behalf of the staff and management of Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc., we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Vertia M. Rollins.