Robin Roberts' Mother Dies

Our prayers and condolences go out to Robin Roberts and her family.

The Good Morning America anchor's mother, Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts, died Thursday at the age of 88, co-anchor George Stephanopoulos announced on the show Friday. The sad news follows Roberts' announcement that she will be taking a medical leave to undergo a bone-marrow transplant after being diagnosed earlier this year with myelodysplastic syndrome, a disease of the blood and bone marrow.

The 51-year-old had originally planned to start her leave after today's show but announced Thursday that it will start one day early. Roberts will be flying home to Mississippi to be with her ailing mother. These are tough days for Robin, as Stephanopoulos said that Roberts "wanted to get home a little early to say goodbye to her mom. She made it home just in time." He also described Lucimarian as "a woman filled with so much joy."

Roberts' mother was the author of the inspirational book My Story, My Song, which featured fond reflections and recollections from Robin.

ABC's Diane Sawyer, meanwhile, introduced a segment paying tribute to the elder Roberts, who was the first African American to head Mississippi's Board of Education.

Props: E! Online