The Very Rev. James Beauregard "Bo" Roberts

The Very Reverend James Beauregard Roberts "Bo", 83, peacefully passed away, on Saturday, October 4, 2025, of complications from cancer. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Bo was born in Biloxi, MS to Henry Hinsdale Roberts and Lucille McElroy Roberts, both of whom have preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his beloved son, James Mitchell “Mitch” Roberts in February 2025.

Bo attended school at Biloxi High School in the class of 1959. He attended college at Millsaps as well as played football for two years, transferring to William Carey College where he graduated. He finished college in 3 ½ years and went on to graduate school at the Philadelphia Divinity School (a seminary of the Episcopal Church) where he graduated with a master’s degree in 1966. He was ordained to the Diaconate that June and to the Priesthood the following year.

While at William Carey, he married the beautiful Pamela Ann Mitchell, and they had their first child, James Mitchell. Their two daughters, Jennifer Ellen and Diane "Beth" Elizabeth were both born after Seminary while the family lived in Olive Branch, MS. Fr. Bo’s first assignment was Holy Cross Church in Olive Branch, as well as another mission church in Como, MS, and co-founding St Timothy’s Church in Southaven, Mississippi.

In April 1969, the family was called to St. Mark’s, Gulfport, Mississippi, just four months before the destruction of Hurricane Camille. Fr. Bo’s first service was on Palm Sunday, which began a 44-year ministry at St Mark’s and within the community of Gulfport (the rival of BHS football!). Fr. Bo remained at St Mark’s until his retirement, having completely rebuilt the church for a second time following hurricane Katrina, this time in a new location. The church had grown from 90 members to over 700 at the time of his retirement in 2013.

During his years at St. Mark’s, he was President of Anniston Ave PTA as well as the City Council of PTA. He was one of the initiators for the Bond issues to add air conditioning to the city schools. He taught Religion at Coast Episcopal School. He coached elementary school football at 5 different schools over 19 years, little league baseball for 9 years, and with a fellow coach organized a girls’ softball league because there was nowhere that girls could play at that time. He also established a Summer Camp for boys, housed on Keesler Air Force Base, for which he raised funding and scholarship support.

Fr. Bo served as Mental Health Board member, Help Line, Chairman of W. Harrison Co. Heart Fund, President and member of Biloxi Lions Club (50 years), Vice President and member of Board of Advisors for De L’Epee Deaf Center, a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi (over 50 years and active until his death), and many other offices and positions in his Diocese including camps and conferences. He was a member of Revelers Carnival Association, a Board member for 13 years and Captain of Revelers in 2000.

He held a private pilot’s license (he didn’t tell Pam about flying lessons until she found a receipt for airplane fuel!) and was an avid sailor. He and Pam shared many wonderful sailing trips along the coast with their friends and family, and sailed to New Orleans, Alabama, Florida, the Bahamas, and on Lake Ontario Canada. In addition, they made many wonderful memories traveling together, with their children, grandchildren, and friends, to many different destinations. Traditionally every summer, Bo and Pam, along with their children and grandchildren, made incredible memories together, vacationing in Perdido Key, Florida.

Bo is survived by his wife of 63 years (their 64th anniversary would be January 26, 2026), Pamela Mitchell Roberts, without whom he would have never succeeded; his children, Ellen Roberts Rivera, Beth Roberts Moran (Jeff), and Mitch's wife Lela Roberts; his grandchildren, Elliot Beauregard “Beau” Roberts, Stefanie Hay (Nicky), Stan Roberts (Chelsea), Micah Lochner (Marlana), Devon Lochner (Kimmi), Alexander Roberts Rivera (Taylor), and Kristen Lizana: his great-grandchildren, Nicholas Hay, Ana Catherine Roberts, Sawyer Lochner, Nathan Hay, Haygood Lochner, Lian Lizana, Augustine "Gus" Roberts, Slade Lochner, Georgiana "Gigi" Roberts, and baby girl Lochner expected in 2026; his brother, Dr. C. H. “Hank” Roberts (Janice); his sister-in-law, Kathy Mitchell Whitacre (Jim); his brother-in-law, Doug Mitchell (Shirley); his sister-in-law Amy Mitchell Joel (Melvin); and many nieces and nephews; his very dear friends the Reverend Dr. Harold and Mrs. Jan Roberts; his extended family includes the Roberts grandchildren's mother, Tonya, the Lochner grandchildren's father, Steve, and the Rivera grandchild's father, Luis.

Thank you to all the friends, business associates, and church family members who supported him in his life and made it possible for him to serve God, his family, and his community.

The family would also like to thank St. Joseph’s Hospice for the quiet and peace they provided for Fr. Bo’s final days.

If you prefer to make donations in Bo's name to the St. Marks Episcopal Church, please visit their website at https:/www.stmarksgulfport.com/give

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Gulfport, from 12:30pm until 2:00pm. The funeral service will follow at 2:00pm, and burial will be in Southern Memorial Park Cemetery.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi, is honored to be serving the family.