James Roberts

Roberts, James I., 86 of Colonial Heights, VA passed away on February 25th, 2016. He was born in Irwinville, GA on November 29th, 1929 to the late Lee Iver and Emmie Stripling Roberts. Having graduated from Irwin County High School, he played professional baseball for the Fitzgerald Pioneers, a minor league team in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. After two seasons of baseball he enlisted in the United States Air Force and he retired after 20 years of service with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer-4 in 1970. He then embarked on his second career with the Virginia Employment Commission. He retired from the VEC as Director of Employment Services in 1990. During his retirement years he was an active traveler in the Special Military Active Retired Travel (S*M*A*R*T) club, becoming its National President from 2003-2004. He was also active in the National Association of Military Retirement (NAMAR), and the Gerow Ruritan Club. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Leo and Charles Roberts, and their sister Faye Freeman. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Marcia J. Roberts; a daughter, Cathy J. Grill and husband, Chris of Efland NC; three sons, Jerry A. Roberts and wife, Cathy of Milford VA, Terry L. Roberts and wife, Deborah of Midlothian VA, David J. Roberts and wife, Joyce of Midlothian VA; three brothers, Bobby Roberts of Huntsville AL, Eddie Roberts of Fitzgerald GA, and Dale Roberts of Ellijay GA; 10 Grandchildren; 5 Great-Grandchildren; and various nieces and nephews. The family will receive family and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday February 29, 2016 at the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. A funeral service with full military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at the funeral home. Interment will be private at the Amelia Veterans Cemetery

Visitation Details

Monday, February 29th, 2016 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Service Information

Tuesday, March 1st, 2016 11:00am, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Interment Details

Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia