Richard Roberts

Richard was born the third child of the late Arthur Roberts Jr. and Ruby Veal Roberts in McIntosh, GA. He attended the historic Howard high school in Atlanta where he completed his trade. In the 83 years he was blessed to have, he was a entrepreneur. Owning and running his own construction company. As a brick mason, he contributed to the construction of many iconic places in Atlanta, such as Six Flags, the MARTA rail system and the downtown Atlanta infrastructure. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958. Richard was preceded in death not only by parents Arthur and Ruby Roberts but also by his beloved brothers Bobby, Thomas, Cleon, and James Roberts, and by his three grandsons William Barnett, Joseph Jarboe, and Richard Leggins. He is survived by his wife Edith Marie Roberts, who he has been with for more than 60 years; his only sister Mrs. Betty Dudley; his 14 children: Richard (Shirley) Roberts, Jr., Thelma Renise (Ted) Ector, Felicia Collins, Cynthia Jarboe, Catherine (Dennis) Atkins, Viscia (Ronald) Clark, Tammie (Kenny) Leggins, Patricia Ware, Cynthia (Donald) Martin, Reginald Roberts, Donna (Richard) Roberts Weaver, Michael (Angie) Roberts, Vivian Roberts, and Rekita Landy; his beloved grandchildren: Jerry (Angie) Martin, Erica Martin, Sayku Dudley, Tabares Collins, Shawn (Kemba) Martin, Yedda Collins, Marsha (Jared) Rowland, Tangela (Douglas) Tinch, Patrice Ware, La'Tesa (Terrance) Harris, Carlisia (Lee) Browning, Stephen Lee Ware, Matthew (Jennifer) Johnson, Alethia Roberts, Jamilah Jarboe, Ebony Ware, Jenovia Jarboe, Michael Roberts, Reginald Roberts, Robert “Chris" Martin, Vincent Clark, Alecia “Brown Sugar” Roberts, Darien “Trey" Martin, Ryan Clark, Derek Martin, Timothy Clark, Monica Ector, Alivia Carter, Lailah Carter, and Mya Alyssa Roberts Carter, and; 40 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. His wife Edith is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and he has supported her in her worship for decades and even attended meetings, assemblies, the annual celebration of the memorial of Jesus Christ’s death, and many annual conventions with her. He learned about God's promise to end all of mankind's suffering through his personal study of the Bible (Revelation 21:3,4), and he longed for the day when Jehovah would bring paradise to the earth. In his final days of life, he often spoke excitedly of his hope for the future. He was a beautiful person, a loving husband, and a caring father. He was manly yet gentle, a hardworking person who loved social events, a deep thinker yet a lively dancer—so many seemingly opposite qualities wrapped up in this tiny frame of a man. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and gardening, and he was also a photography enthusiast. He was even known to make natural plant remedies occasionally! Not only did he love his very large family, but he was also a magnet to people of all kinds. He was energetic, useful, and educated in a real-life sense. Perhaps one of the more telling aspects of his personality was that he always had a baby in his arms. Those who were fortunate enough to know and love him have been very fortunate indeed. We will miss him dearly. He was legendary ❤.