Edgar Roberts grew up in the Jones Settlement community and attended Westside High School where he played football. He was a graduate of the class of 1963.
Edgar Roberts attended Temple Business School in Washington, D.C. He completed his studies at Central Business School in Washington, D.C. where he received his business degree in Business Administration.
In his professional career, Edgar served as the President of the Region IV, 8 (A) Contractor’s Association, (eight states). In this endeavor, he was awarded as “Good Will Ambassador” by the Secretary of State. Edgar, also, has a long and outstanding record of civic, professional, and community involvement. He served as Trustee of the VSU Foundation; Chairman of the VSU Minority Foundation; Vice President of the Minority Business Association; member of the Board of Directors at First State Bank & Trust; Executive Board of the Valdosta/Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce; Georgia Board of Correction; and Lowndes County Commissioner for District # 1.
On the 12th day of December 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Catherine Gardner. To this blessed, union three daughters were born: Tia, Sherri, and Carla.
On January 21, 1966, Edgar was drafted in the United States Marine Corp. He served in the Vietnam War, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. Out of a platoon of 5000, only 500 returned. In addition to the devastation of being wounded in combat, Edgar was exposed to Agent Orange. In his final months, he was not the Edgar Roberts that we all knew, love, and respect. The ravages of war had taken their toll on him. How many of his friends were caught up in the devastation, suffered numerous illnesses both mental and physical, and in the end suffered prior to their death, is beyond our imagination. One thing that we do know is that Edgar was indeed a virtual Tower of Strength and Guiding Light.
Edgar Roberts work career began at Elcona Mobile Home Factory where he was employed as its first black Purchasing Manager. Edgar established the A-1 Construction Company, Inc. September of 1989, he purchased James Scott and Son Funeral Home, presently Scott and Roberts Mortuary, Inc.
It was at the River Hill Missionary Baptist Church that Edgar Roberts gave His heart to Christ. He served there faithfully until he was installed the Pastor of Thomas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Edgar also served as a Chairman of the Western Division Union and as a First Vice-Moderator of the South Georgia Missionary Baptist Association.
In 2014, Edgar Roberts was placed on a list for a kidney transplant. In 2017, Edgar met a stranger, John Branson from Indiana, in a Cracker Barrel Restaurant where he began to reminiscing about his life in the Marine Corp. It was the Marine Corp hat that Edgar wore that caught the attention of John Branson because he has a son in the Marine Corp. After hearing his story, and by the grace of God, John volunteered to donate one of his kidneys. This began a fruitful relationship. This miracle event in 2017 resulted in the successful surgeries for both men.
Edgar was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Freddie, John and David Roberts and two sisters-in-law Rutha and Grace Roberts, and his special nephew Calvin C. White.
He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife of fifty-four years, Mary Roberts; three daughters: Tia (Greg) Battles, Sherri (Bernard) Daniels, and Carla Roberts; two grandchildren Matthew and Madison Hall; two sisters: Katherine (Charlie Mack) Flannigan and Dorothy White all of Valdosta, Georgia; two sisters-in-law Helen (James) Morrison of Valdosta, Georgia; and Margaret (Oscar) Long of Tampa, Florida; one brother-in-law Willie James Gardner of Valdosta, Georgia; a very special friend Velma Matchett; two special nephews who kept up with him during his stay at the Community Living Center, Wesley (Drusilla) Flannigan and Felix Flannigan; and a countless circle of other relatives and friends.
Graveside Service for Pastor Edgar Roberts will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 12:00 Noon at the Pallbearer Cemetery with Rev. Loyd Salary officiating. Private burial will follow Monday, September 14, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. Public viewing will be held on Thursday, September 10 from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P. M. and Friday, September 11 from 10:00 A.M. until 7:00 P. M. If you would like to view the service on Saturday, please become friends with us on Facebook by Friday, September 11. Facial mask is required and social distance will be enforced.