Henry Bernard Roberts

In the early morning of Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, Henry Bernard Roberts, affectionately known as HB, passed away in Tampa, Fla. He was eighty-four years old.
HB was born on Sept. 12, 1940, in Lloyd, Fla., to Dennis "Sonny Boy" Roberts and Flowerzell Thompson Roberts Saffo, both of whom preceded him in death. His sister, Altamease Saffo Harmon, also preceded him in death.
HB graduated from Howard Academy High School in Monticello, Fla., in 1959. He then relocated to Tampa, Fla., to live with his aunt Alma Thompson Curry Griffin and then with his uncle WV Thompson, both from Tampa, Fla., and both preceded him in death.
HB served his country as a Private First Class in the United States Army. Upon his return from the Army, he became employed with Greyhound Bus Lines. A very loyal and dedicated worker, he worked his way up to the position of Manager of Package Express. HB devoted fifty-six years to the company before his retirement. He was loved and was well-known throughout the company by the numerous employees and coworkers for his commitment to his career. The name HB was always recognized by the Greyhound organization all over the United States.
Besides his service in the military, HB was an active Little League Baseball coach for his son, Victor, and later for his granddaughter, Alexis. He was dedicated to his family and loved coming home to Monticello to hunt wild game and spend time with his beloved "Fly Crew." He was formerly married to Betty Lou O'Neal Roberts.
He was a loving and kind man of few words, but everyone knew he was a "solid rock" in his family; he was the Fly Crew's patriarch. HB's presence on earth will be missed by many.  He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and caring son, Victor Bernard (Carlis) Roberts of  Tampa, Fla.; son, Donald Green of Fort Myers, Fla.; daughter, Janet Wimberly of Jacksonville, Fla.; a loving granddaughter raised as a daughter, Alexis (Patrice) Roberts of Tampa, Fla; grandchildren, Malik Roberts, Imani Roberts, Ashley Troupe,  LaDonna (Shaun) Green, and Sterling Green all of Tampa, Fla, Fredrick Roberts of Virginia Beach,Va., Alicia Wimberly of Atlanta, Ga., Ronald Wimberly of Las Vegas, NV, Lakeisha Wimberly of New York, NY, and Joseph Wimberly of Riverview, Fla.; great-granddaughter Icelynn Bermudez of Tampa, Fla.; great-grandson, Princeton Juel Paradise of Virginia Beach, Va.; brother, Willie J. (Catherine) Saffo; sisters, Laverne Roberts (Reverend James) Mack, and Pearlye Ann Saffo Gallon, all of Monticello, Fla., and Gwendolyn (Willard Williams) Saffo of Gainesville, Fla.; brother-in-law, Rufus Harmon of Jacksonville, Fla; nieces, Tonya (Chuck) Reddick and Tia Saffo all of Tallahassee, Fla., Rosalind Robinson and Larissa Woods both of Jacksonville, Fla., Cynthia Mack of Monticello, Fla., Sharon Butler of Orlando, Fla., and  Tamara Thompson of Atlanta, Ga.; nephews, Duane Gallon and Dexter Gallon both of Monticello, Fla., Renwick Gallon of Waldo, Fla, Korez Mack, and Cory (LaKeshia) Saffo all of  Tallahassee, Fla.; and a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing and visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 8th, at St. Rilla Missionary Baptist Church, located at 13 Barrington Road in Monticello, Fla.. Life Celebration Services will be held at 11AM, on Saturday, Nov. 9, at St. Rilla Missionary Baptist Church. Professional services and final arrangements are entrusted to GRACE Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. (850-926-4407). All attendees are encouraged to follow COVID -19 social distancing guidelines. Resolutions and other correspondence may be sent to contactus@gracefcs.com.