'GMA' host Robin Roberts' mother has passed away at the age of 88, just hours after Robin said goodbye to the show to take a medical leave of absence.

Roberts exited 'Good Morning America' to have a bone-marrow transplant from her sister Sally-Ann Roberts.

Roberts traveled home to Mississippi and made her way through flooded and blocked roads to be with her beloved ailing mother just in time.

"See you later. See you soon. I'll get back as soon as I can," she promised at the close of her emotional send-off from the show Thursday.

During her absence, a number of famous faces will be subbing for her, including previously announced fellow ABC News colleagues Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer and Elizabeth Vargas.

In addition, Roberts announced that Oprah Winfrey, Chris Rock and Rob Lowe will be among the stand-ins, as well as the cast of the ABC comedy "Modern Family."

Source: ABC Local News