Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts is mourning the loss of her mother, Lucimarian, who passed away at age 88 Thursday night.
According to ABC News' Facebook page, Roberts traveled "home to Mississippi just in time to see her."
Earlier that morning, the acclaimed TV journalist, 51, announced she would be making an early departure from Good Morning America to spend time with her ailing mother and other relatives as they weather Hurricane Isaac.
"I'm having to move up my schedule," said Roberts, who will soon receive a bone marrow transplant from her sister, Sally-Ann. The cancer survivor is currently battling myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood and bone marrow disorder. Roberts' had originally planned to take a leave of absence following Friday's broadcast.
"I am very blessed," Roberts told viewers. "Forty percent of Americans can't even take a sick day, and here I know that I'm going to have a job when I come back."
According to WABC-TV, Roberts' late mother was the first African American to head Mississippi's board of education. She also collaborated with her daughter on a 2012 book titled, My Story, My Song: Mother-Daughter Reflections on Life and Faith.
In a note distributed to ABC staff members Thursday night, it was said that "it has always been clear where Robin got her strength, faith and spirit. You didn't need to look far."
Lucimarian "loved the written word and the poetry and joy of song," the note added. "She even recorded a CD of hymns for her family as a gift last year."
