James Roberts Obituary

MR. JAMES EDWARD ROBERTS, SR., age 84, of 9420 Williams Bridge Road, Avera, GA passed away on Sunday, May 18th, 2025, at the Keysville Nursing Home and Rehab in Keysville, GA. Family and friends may call at the funeral home. FREEMAN FUNERAL HOME, WRENS in charge.
Mr. James Edward "Showtime" Roberts, Sr., a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was called from earth to reward on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Keysville Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Keysville, GA. James was born Tuesday, August 6, 1940, in Edgehill (Glascock County), GA to both the late Clifford Roberts and Hazel Dogan Roberts. James attended the predominantly black school in Gibson (Glascock County), GA. Later James became a permanent resident of Avera (Jefferson County), GA.
Avera is where James met the love and beautiful apple of his eye, Betty Jean Gaston Roberts and on Thursday, January 7th, 1960. They were united into Holy Matrimony and became one and remained as one for 62 years, 7 months, and 18 days until the love of his life, Betty's demise on Thursday, August 25, 2022.
James was a faithful and active member of New Hope A.M.E. Church in the Grange Community in Louisville, GA until his health failed.
James was a highly respected and admired person, a great family man, a great friend. He was no longer cousin James to many of his cousins (and some non-cousins) but had earned the status and called "Unc" or "Uncle James." He was a pillar of the Avera, GA community.
James retired from Georgia-Tennessee Mining Company in Wrens, GA. After retirement, James began the loving career of his life, Owner and Operator of his Log Trucking Company with the CB handle of "Showtime." Never meeting a stranger, truck driving was his passion as he drove millions of miles always with a smile (laughing), a wave and that arm out the window. James was truly a people person. He met so many friends while on the road and during his lifetime. He loved everyone. James was a jack-of-all-trades, with a favorite hobby of working on his cars and trucks.
In addition to his parents, James Edward Roberts, Sr. was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Jean Gaston Roberts; two brothers, JC Roberts and Junior Roberts.
Loved ones left to cherish our beloved James memories and carry on his legacy: two daughters, Melvine (Donald) Stone of Augusta, GA and Sharon Roberts of Avera, GA; one son, James, Jr. (Bernice) Roberts of Thomson, GA; one god-son, Kendrick Rutland of Washington, DC; four loving grandchildren, Amber (Marcus) Jackson of Orlando, FL, Donovan, Sr. (Kenay) Stone of Augusta, GA, Jayven Roberts and Mya Moss, both of Thomson, GA; two loving great-grands, Kali Jai Stone and Donovan Malik Stone, Jr., both of Augusta, GA; three sisters, Christine Roberts Smith of Atlanta, GA, Vickie Roberts Greene of Avera, GA and Catherine Roberts Darisaw of Wrens, GA; two brothers, Rochester (Annie Lois) Roberts of Gainesville, FL and KC Roberts of Thomson, GA; three aunts, Classie Roberts of Stapleton, GA, Willie Bell Roberts of Pompano Beach, FL and Annie Mae Roberts of Saint Petersburg, FL; three sisters-in-law, Marie Edmond of Albany, NY, Henrietta Gaston of Augusta, GA and Carrie Gaston of Avera, GA; one brother-in-law, James Goodson of Wrens, GA; a host of loving cousins, other relatives and friends in addition to his Log Trucking Company Families.
A special thank you to the doctors, nurses, CNA'S and the rest of the staff members at Keysville Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Keysville, GA for taking great care of our father.
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