Roberta Davilla Robbins grew up in Illinois on the Davilla Family Farm. She spent most of her professional career as a college and university faculty member having earned a PhD in interpersonal communication at the Ohio University. She taught at the University of Northern Iowa among other institutions and was a department chair at Western Illinois University.

She assisted her late husband, Rev. Jeff Robbins, as his administrative assistant and co-worship leader when they served the Biggsville, Gladstone, and Oquawka (IL) UM churches. Roberta has served churches in the Illinois Great Rivers and Iowa Conferences.

Pastor Roberta began her duties as minister at Orion UMC in July 2025. She enjoys writing, playing the piano, practicing yoga, being outside, and spending time with her three grown children, Peter, Ned and Kaitlin, their partners, six grandchildren, and one great grandson.