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James ROBERTS Obituary
Known as 'Robbie' to his co-workers and associates, Paul was born in Spring Creek, N.C., and came to the Peninsula to work in the shipyard about 1940. At the shipyard he learned the machinist trade, which provided him steady employment throughout his career. During World War II he proudly served with the 82nd Airborne and parachuted into Germany in 1944. After the war he returned to the Peninsula and work at the shipyard. In 1946 he married his high school sweetheart, Geneva Worley and her daughter, Betty. After working at Brown and Grist in Newport News for several years he and other associates founded the Advex Corporation in Hampton in 1969, from which he retired in 1986.
Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva Price Worley Roberts, in 1999; and a son, James Richard Roberts, who was a casualty of the Vietnam War in 1969.
He is survived by his daughter, Betty Worley Rogers, of Hayes; brothers Ray Waldroupe, in Greeneville, Tenn., J.D. Waldroupe in Spring Creek, N.C., and Earl Waldroupe in Greeneville, Tenn. Additional family members include his sister-in-law, Mary Price Nichols, and her children, Fred Nichols in Hot Springs, N.C., Laura Jo Sullivan, and Lori Price in Smithfield; nephews, Albert Worley and Bruce Price in Asheville, N.C. area; and other nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be at noon on June 1, at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home with Dr. Allen B. Hopkins Sr. officiating. The family will receive friends on June 1, at 11 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Paul's memory to Pine Chapel Baptist Church, 1544 West Queen Street, Hampton, VA 23669.
The family extends their sincere thanks to the staff and caregivers of the Chesapeake Retirement Community for their dedication, love, and care or Mr. Roberts during his eight year residence there. They were truly a blessing to him and his family.
Please leave condolences at www.wjsmithandsonfh.com.
Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James ROBERTS
5 Entries
June 5, 2010
Dear Roberts Family,
I was so sad to learn that Mr. Roberts had passed away. From time he moved next door to my Mother, Frances Crawford, he was such a joy to know. His sense of humor and conversation will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. I visit my Mother frequently from out of state and I always enjoyed talking and joking with Mr. Roberts. I just visited in March and ate several meals with him, my Mother and Mrs. Mackey. When I visit my Mother at the Chesapeake soon, I will miss his smile and remember him as a friend.
God bless your family,
Judy Strickland
June 2, 2010
Betty and the Roberts Family,
We were saddened when we saw that Mr. Roberts had passed away. He was such a good man and always had a smile on his face. Sorry that we found out too late to be at the services. We know he is in a better place and is seeing old friends and family. We will miss him. May God Bless you all! Carl and Pam Moore
June 1, 2010
Dear Roberts Family,
Mr. Roberts was a dear sweet man and a wonderful christian. It was a joy knowing him, I pray that during this time you all will feel God's love for you.
In Sympathy,
Jackie Snead
May 30, 2010
I had the opportunity of meeting Mr. Roberts about 4mths after I started working at the Chesapeake. All had a friendly smile, kind gesture, and lots of laughs. He made the time at work pass by quickly. He never let on how much pain he was in. At our last visit, I entered his room, and we still had our play of words and sarcasism. I will miss hime dearly, and AL will not be the same when I visit it. God bless and keep the family.
Shinell B(Newport News, Va.)
Dawn S
May 30, 2010
i got to know Mr Roberts pretty well the time I worked at the Chesapeake. I'd eat lunch with him sometimes and listen to stories of his family. The one I remember most is when he left his then teenage kids at home to take a cross country trip with his wife. He was such a nice man and he will be missed.
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