Dr. Donald C. Roberts

Dr. Donald Claybourne Roberts, 90, of Anderson, SC, passed away on February 28, 2024. He was born at home in Rockingham County, NC, on September 15, 1933. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joan Fulp Roberts, their four children; sons Mark (Lisa); Glenn (Melissa) of Anderson, SC; Jamie (Candice) of Greenville, SC; and daughter Claire Spencer (Arthur) of Pope Valley, CA. His grandchildren, who lovingly called him DaddyDon; are Clay (Sallie), Elizabeth, Ryan (Sarah), Jack, Teagan, Carter Roberts; Charlotte and Anna Spencer; and step-grandchildren, Porter, Camille, and Cole Kirven, as well as two great granddaughters, Willow and Lillian Roberts. He is also survived by a half-sister, Molly Sue Roberts Balch of Lillington, NC, and a half-brother, King Roberts Jr. of Erwin, NC, and numerous nieces and nephews. Don was happiest when he was surrounded by his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, King and Nannie Peay Roberts; a sister, Jane Roberts Crouse; a brother, Earl Roberts; an infant brother, William Roberts; and a grandson, Colin Roberts.
Don graduated from Wake Forest College in 1955, and Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem in 1959. After a residency in general and thoracic surgery, he joined the Army under the Berry Plan. He continued on to serve as a cardiothoracic surgeon in Frankfort and Landstuhl, Germany in the Vietnam theatre from 1965 to 1968. In late 1968, he moved his family to Anderson, SC, where he practiced medicine until 1995.
Don loved all sports. He was especially fond of his Atlanta Braves, Clemson Tigers, Wake Forest Deacons, and any sport his children happened to be playing. As a father, he somehow always found the time and way to become a "part-time coach" on these teams. Indeed, he was known to all as "Green Light" for his severe risk taking as 3rd base coach. As team doctor, he always claimed to have whispered some successful play calls into Coach Fraser's ear (Coach always denied this). None of his children nor grandchildren were ever able to beat him in a game of checkers, which he learned as a child playing at his grandfather's country store. He was an avid golfer and called many an "air gammon" on his playing partners.
Don truly loved his profession, and his love for helping others with his medical skills and generosity was legendary. He made many trips to Haiti, where he volunteered with Partners in Health/World Mission to operate on the poor and disadvantaged. He was always willing to help his friends and neighbors with their various ailments and doctor visits well into his 80's. His love for helping others overflowed into serving the community of Anderson as shown by he and Joanie running a Meals on Wheels route for many years. He was a former YMCA President, a board member at Anderson National Bank, a former member of the Medical Review Board, and a former Chief of Staff to the Anderson Medical Association. He was a faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church, where he ushered and served on the vestry and was known for holding the title of leading ticket seller of the Grace annual soup luncheon.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 pm Sunday, March 3, 2024, in the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Hardaway officiating. The family will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home before the service from 12:30 - 1:30 pm, and also at a reception immediately after the service at Grace Episcopal Church, 711 S McDuffie St in Anderson. There will be a private committal at a later date.
The family would like to thank Affinity Hospice in Anderson for their care that allowed Don to stay in the comfort of his home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, Attn: Capital Campaign, 711 S McDuffie St, Anderson, SC 29624 or to Meals on Wheels, 105 S Fant St, Anderson, SC 29624.