Roy A. Roberts Sr

Roy Allen Roberts was born in Shepherdsville, Ky. July 30, 1937, to the union of Charles and Elisabeth Roberts. He was the oldest of 5 children. He attended Bowman Valley for the lower grades, a one-room colored schoolhouse that is listed on the commonwealth of Ky’s registry of historic landmarks. He graduated high school from Lincoln Institute at the age of 16 in 1953, after skipping two grades, while attending the boarding school in Shelbyville for black high school students during segregation. He was a man full of wisdom who will be missed. He served his country in the US army from 1960 to 1962. While on leave once, he met Leona Radford, his bride of 60 years; their union was blessed with four children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. After returning home from the military Roy drove a truck for Café Service before going to work for General Electric Appliance Park where he would spend nearly 30 years only retiring when he became ill. Roy was a family man full of faith. Although he was a man of few words, you could see his strength and you felt his courage, and you knew he was a man of integrity. He served the Lord and his church as a deacon for most of his adult life. He was ordained in the 70s and served as the head deacon at Copper Run Baptist church and Little Flock Missionary Baptist Church for more than 30 years. He loved his church and his pastor, The Reverend, Dr. Bernard Crayton. You would see Deacon Roberts on his scooter serving even when he wasn’t completely well or mobile. When he couldn’t physically attend anymore, he watched the streaming services weekly. He also enjoyed all sports but loved watching and cheering on the Cards and it didn’t matter which sport it could be basketball, baseball, or football. He also enjoyed taking the family to Louisville minor league baseball games, and Cincinnati Reds games. Roy also had a passion for cooking and serving his family in that capacity too! He prepared wonderfully delicious meals that will be remembered for a lifetime, and he knew the best places to find a great meal in the city that he loved. Roy often said “There is no place like Louisville.” when returning to his old Kentucky Home. Roy Allen Roberts received the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky that of a Kentucky Colonel. Kentucky’s ambassador of goodwill and fellowship around the world. Roy loved visiting the ocean. He and Leona visited Hawaii, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, cruises, and visited Florida multiple times. He fought the good fight battling multiple illnesses for 35 years. He worked hard, he never gave up and he never complained. Roy Allen Roberts, Sr. departed this life on January 18, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth & Charles Roberts, and brothers, Jimmy Roberts, Henry Roberts, and Gary Roberts, Son in law, Timothy Shelton, and nephew Daren Lydian. Roy will be greatly missed and leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Leona Roberts, son, Alan Roberts, daughters, Kim Shelton, Karen Young (Gregg), Heather Haider (Ghulam), Grandchildren, Dorian Young Jr, Taylor Young, Brandon Vessels, Hannah Shelton, and Great-Grandchild Harleigh Young and beloved sister Brenda Roberts. The family wishes to thank Drs. Greg Merriweather and Regi Varghese for the excellent care and compassion that they provided to Roy A. Roberts, sr. during his lengthy illness. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that a love offering be made to the Little Flock Baptist Church. The celebration of life service for Roy A. Roberts will be held on Thursday, February 2nd at the Little Flock Baptist Church located at 1030 S. Hancock Street Louisville, KY 40203. The viewing is from 10 am- 11 am with the service from 11-Noon. Committal & Internment will be held at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery 2501 N. Dixie Blvd. Radcliff, Ky 40160.

Roy A. Roberts Sr

July 30, 1937 - January 18, 2023