Mr. John Byron Roberts' Obituary
John Roberts passed from this life on Friday, August 11th and left behind a world made better by his
faithfulness, his love of teaching and his belief in the common good.
John was born in Altoona, Alabama, the first child born to Roy Roberts, Sr. and Lydia Stanfield Roberts. John grew up with two siblings, his sister, Belva Jean Jackson and his brother, Roy Roberts, Jr.
John was married to Mildred Ann Gullatt Roberts, his partner in life, for 64 years. They made a life together in Houston, Sacramento, Tucson, Tuscaloosa, Atlanta, New Orleans, Mobile, and finally at Lake Martin near Alexander City. They raised one daughter, Valerie, who was the light of their lives.
John was the first in his family to go to college and graduated from the University of Alabama with an
undergraduate degree in biology. Following graduation, he became an officer in the U.S. Air Force, serving in the Strategic Air Command as a B-47 bombardier. When his tour of duty was complete, he returned to Tuscaloosa, earning both a masters degree and a doctorate in education in 1964.
John was a life-long learner and voracious reader. He thrived on learning about how things work (including the weather, planets, and cars!), and sharing that knowledge with others. John was a teacher of teachers, serving on the faculty of University of New Orleans and the University of South Alabama, helping other teachers become better. One of his most cherished possessions was a note of thanks from a student, saying what a difference he had made in her life as a teacher. John spent his career as a tireless advocate for public education through the professional organizations and personal relationships that he saw as opportunities to make lives better.
John shared his gift for teaching with small groups and Sunday School classes all over Alexander City. John and Ann were faithful members of First United Methodist Church and then St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, where they made their parish home. John also tutored elementary children in Alex City and participated in the Kairos prison ministry. He was a member of the Academy for Spiritual Formation, and was a part of the Emmaus community. John put his belief into practice that helping other people and working toward our common good is our highest calling.
John loved his family and was affectionately known as “Pop” to his daughter Valerie (Warren), his grandsons Wilson (Callie), Graham and Dixon, and his great-grandchildren Ann Harper, Luke, and Libby. John loved being with his grandsons growing up, reading to them from Pat McManus until he was laughing so hard he couldn’t read any more, and boating them around Lake Martin in his old green fishing boat, which he named “J.W. and Crew”. Eating powdered donuts with them as little boys in the early morning hours was also part of the story. As a result, his grandsons grew up loving the lake, and they adored their summers at “Camp Pop and Mimi”. Now, their great-grandchildren are learning to love the lake, and John loved that his home was again filled with the sound of little feet.
John was famously frugal. He lived his life by the credo: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” He believed in that so much that he even had a copy of this saying in his room at Chapman’s. It was how he lived his life, yet he was extremely generous toward others, always behind the scenes.
In his last years, the assisted living staff at Chapman’s Retirement Center was a source of great comfort to John, who made him feel like family. In his final days, his sitters Lisa Knight, Sharon Hughley and Jacqueline Minnifield, and the nurses at Community Hospice cared for him and made him comfortable. John’s family is very grateful for all that you’ve done.
Now, the memory of his life is a source of light and a blessing for us. Thanks be to God for the gift of John Roberts’ life.
Memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 347 South Central Avenue, Alexander City, Alabama 35010. John’s memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church beginning at 11:00 on Friday, August 18th, with graveside services to follow. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service.
Memories and condolences may be made at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
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