Paul Lee Roberts

Paul Lee Roberts, age 89, devoted husband, father, and brother, passed from this world to heaven on July 25th, 2025, after a brief illness, at his home surrounded by family. Known to many as "Red," because of his red hair growing up, he was born on November 27th, 1935, to father: Minor Clinton Roberts and mother: Fannie Mays Roberts of South Irvine.

Paul graduated from the Estill County High School in 1955 and was a prominent member of the 1954-55 ECHS Engineer basketball team as runner-up in the 44th District and 11th Regional Tournaments. He would be later inducted into the Estill County Sports Hall of Fame for his basketball achievements. He never lost his love for playing basketball, was a lifelong University of Kentucky basketball fan along with his love for God, family, music, and fishing.

He was employed by IBM in Lexington, KY for 30 years, as a manufacturing manager. Upon retirement from IBM, he returned to South Irvine to become a full-time farmer. In Lexington, he was an Elder at Northern Heights Christian Church and upon returning to Irvine a Deacon at the South Irvine Christian Church. In his early years, he was a member of the Kentucky National Guard in Irvine and later the Army Reserve in Lexington.

Preceding him in death include his father M. C. Roberts, mother Fannie Roberts; six sisters – Ida Mae (Gordon) Freeman, Ruby (Russell) Smyth, Hazel (Red) Tomes, Lois (Johnny) Nugent, Dora (Leighton) Winkle, Cora (Delmar) Wilson; three brothers – Clayton (Juanita) Roberts, Lloyd Roberts, and Donald Roberts.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 68 years Charlotte Fowler Roberts Irvine, KY, daughter Paula Kral (Don) Lexington, KY, son Jeffrey Roberts (Julie) Lexington, grandchildren Kyle Kral (Jessica) Duvall, WA, Keith Kral (Jeanina) Chattanooga, TN, Kevin Kral (Maddie) Snohomish, WA, Rachel Roberts Lexington, Kelly Kral, Seattle, WA, John Roberts Lexington; great grandchildren – Caden Kral Duvall, WA, Madeline Kral Duvall, WA, Evelyn Kral Duvall, WA, Kosta Kral Chattanooga, TN; brother – Wayne Roberts (Susi) Lexington, KY; sisters-in-law Betty Roberts, Irvine and Nancy Roberts, Lexington; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Please join his family for a celebration of Paul's life at the South Irvine Christian Church, Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, with visitation from 11am to 1 pm, and funeral service at 1 pm with Brother Matthew Wampler officiating. Interment will follow in the South Irvine Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Kyle Kral, Keith Kral, Kevin Kral, Kelly Kral, John Roberts, Steve Roberts, Jamie Winkle, and Winfred Winkle, II.

"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." John 16:22 NKJV