FREDDIE CLIFTON ROBERTS SR.

On December 8, 2017, Mr. Freddie Clifton Roberts, Sr. received his promotion from his earthly assignment to his heavenly rest. He was born on January 15, 1935, to the late William "Bill Red" and Henritta Roberts.

Freddie was raised in a Christian home where his mother instilled in him great Christian values. Taking all that he was taught he began his Christian journey at the Big Bethel Baptist Church where he accepted Christ as his Personal Savior.

On August 28, 1954, he married Lady Grandison and from that union they were blessed with four children. After raising their own children in 1983, they decided they needed some more noise around the house so they adopted a son which they loved like he was their own. With very little education he strived to make a living for himself and his family. He worked as a Supervisor for many years for Continental Can Company which was later renamed Georgia-Pacific where he was blessed to be able to retire.

Freddie was a very out spoken man and held a very stern hand. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He enjoyed the simple things in life, watching the Atlanta Braves, listening to rhythm and blues, playing cards with the fellows (bid whist, tunk, and poker), fishing, making homemade wine, playing pool, playing the guitar, and driving his Cadillac (which was his lawn-mower around McKenney). He could be found any giving day hanging out on the corner with the boy as he would say, "all we are doing is swatting flies and telling lies." Freddie was a former member for the Benedict Civic Club, Inc. for many years.

He was preceded in death by his son, Mr. Freddie "Peter" Roberts, Jr.; two sisters, Deaconess Martha Grandison and Ms. Elsie Roberts; three brothers, Deacon William "Bill" Roberts, Mr. Johnny Roberts and Mr. Nathanael "Net" Roberts.

He left to cherish his legacy: a devoted wife of 63 years, Mrs. Lady Roberts of McKenney; five children, Deacon Clarence Roberts (Wanda), Ms. Regina Gail Johnson, Ms. Ruby Roberts, Mr. Jerry Fields and Rev. Alexander Williams; six grandchildren, Mrs. Delena Harris (Terron), Mrs. Chenita Scott (Tajuan), Mr. Arkea Graves (Tonya), Ms. LeKeya Johnson (Andrae), Ms. Ashely Roberts (Melvin) and Ms. Dayonna Johnson (Deonta); eight great grandchild, Tyson and Jackson Harris, Tyleke Crowder, Tyon Horn, Ty'Lai Frenzley, Amerah Monrow, Kaden Alvarado, Jada and Jordan Scott; three sisters, Ms. Thelma King, Ms. Alma Hardy and Ms. Mary Roberts; one brother, Mr. Melvin Roberts; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Mary P. Roberts; thirteen sisters-in-law, Ms. Ruth V. Phidd, Ms. Wendy Branch, Ms. Dorothy Branch, Ms. Dora Pegram (Marvin), Mrs. Sandra Parham (Clint), Ms. Eunice Rosa, Ms. Oral Lynn, Ms. Mary Wilson, Ms. Martha Walker, Ms. Alice Johnson, Ms. Tara Graves, Ms. Catherine Graves and Ms. Pearly Shell; five brothers-in-law, Mr. James Branch (Connie), Mr. Theodore Branch, Mr. Harvey Graves, Mr. Bobby Johnson, and Mr. William (Rouser) Massenburg; a devoted caregiver, Mrs. Alease Harper; a host of nieces among them devoted Deaconess Mary Johnson, Ms. Jackie Griffin and Ms. Gwendolyn Tucker; nephews among them devoted Deacon Morris Hardy; cousins and friends among them devoted Bill Gowens, Mr. and Mrs. André and Shelly Curtis, Mrs. Geraldine Coleman, Deaconess Valerie Drumgoole, Ms. Lena Burford, Ms. Nancy Jones, Ms. Denise Shands, Pam Sharpe & Family, and Mr. Otis Webb.

He also left to share his memories his extended family three adopted daughters, Ms. Shelia Morgan, Ms. Ruth Coleman and Ms. Cassondre Smith; an adopted sister and brother, Ms. Annie Coleman and Mr. Robert "Bob" Smith.

A special thanks to Adult Health Care Salutations, All About Care, Visiting Dr. Niblack of Physicians Association, Kindred Hospice and the Big Bethel Baptist Church for all of the support and prayers. May God bless and forever keep you.

Service for Mr. Freddie Roberts will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, December 14, 2017, at Big Bethel Baptist Church, 10110 Marguerita Ragsdale Street, McKenney, VA, the Rev. Alexander L. Williams, Pastor, eulogist.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. Roberts at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.