Deacon Sam Roberts, Jr. also known as (SM)

Obituary For Deacon Sam Roberts, Jr. also known as (SM)

Death has visited the Roberts family and took from us, an very special person who set and example worthy for all of us to follow. On occasions like this it is hard to put into words the deep feelings we have for one who was loved by all who knew him.

Today, we have all stopped our regular schedules to pay tribute to Deacon Sam Roberts, Jr. (aka SM) for what he has done to make this a better would to live in. He had no fears, for he knew the Lord so well and knew the Lord would take care of him all the way.

What power or Lord has in times of trouble and how wonderful it is to lean on Him when there is no one else who understands how deep our grief is! And that is why God has given is the power of Prayer so that we may communicate with hi during our deepest trails and most difficult challenges. However, we do not grieve without hope, for we believe in our Lord and savior, Jesus the Christ, just as Deacon Roberts believed; therefore, we believe we will see him again!

At the age of 90, Deacon Sam Roberts, Jr. affectionately known as (SM), was called to rest on Monday, July 27, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family members. He began this life on October 05, 1935, born in Lanier County, Georgia to the late Sam Roberts, Sr. and the late Minnie Zola Carter Roberts.

Loving family member who preceded Deacon Sam Roberts in death were: His faithful and loving parents, Sam Roberts, Sr., and Minnie Zola Carter Roberts; Robert Darryl Roberts, his son Ruby L. Houston, Sammie L. (Artis) Miller, Ada B. Miller and Robertha Sirmans, his sister E. J. Roberts, and Enoch B. Roberts, his brothers; three (3) nephews: Otis Miller, Dennis Enoch Miller, Sr. and Quinton Miller, Sr.; on e (1) niece Oneida Campbell; one (1) great-nephew: Dennis Miller, Jr.; two (2) nephews-in-love: Charlie Carter and Ben Mack a loving and supporting mother-in-love Viola King Pitts, and sister-in-love who was more like a sister, Patricia Ann Pitts; a brother-in-love who was more like a brother, William Henry Pitts and most recently, his son-in-love James Stubs, who was certainly more like a son to Deacon Roberts.

Deacon Sam Roberts was educated in Lanier County School District where he received his High School Diploma for Lakeland High School, Lakeland, Georgia in June 1953. He enlisted and served in the United States Army for four (4) years. In November 1953, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and graduated from the Air Force Leadership School in 1965. Deacon Roberts retired as a non-commissioned officer from the United States Air Force on August 31, 1974, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.

He served in the United State Air Force for Twenty (20) years, Nine (9) months and Twenty-one (21) days as Tech Sergeant in charge of Base Operation.

Deacon Roberts began his employment with Martin Marietta Corporation, a key contractor for NASA, as Finance Administrator in June 1975 and retired in 2000. He attended Brevard Community College beginning August 1977 and received his Associate of Science degree in Marketing in June 1982.

Deacon Roberts accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age at Hopewell Baptist Church in Lakeland, Georgia. Later in life, he later united with Friendship Primitive Baptist Church, located in Cocoa, FL under the leadership of the late Elder Edward Buckner where he served as Chairman of Trustee Board and President of the Community Co-Op program. He later relocated his family to Huntsville, Alabama and joined Little India Creek Primitive Baptist Church on June 22, 2008, under the leadership of Elder Dr. Jerry L. Crutcher. He was ordained as Deacon in December 2012 from Steadfast Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Association with Elder Dr. Jerry L. Crutcher as the Moderator. He also steadfastly served as a member of the National Primitive Baptist Convention, Inc. Laymen Council, under the leadership of Deacon Harold Spann, President-Emeritus and current President Deacon Gregory Floyd. He faithfully served in many capacities at Little Indian Creek including as Trustee Board member and Church School Superintendent, until God called him home.

Deacon Roberts found joy in life’s simple blessings. He loved hymns, bowling, hunting, and time spent enjoying the fruits of the garden, especially fresh peas and butterbeans. He also delighted in favorite treats such as Captain D’s, pecan pie, Sunkist orange soda (and Pepsi in his earlier years0, and his everyday snacks. Above all his greatest joy was attending Church Services and worshipping with the people of God.

Deacon Roberts met and marred his loving wife of 39 years, Debra Pitts Roberts. The couple went on to build a life together, helping their family, friends, and strangers alike, as the Lord led them.

Deacon Roberts leaves to cherish and mourn his passing his six (6) children Bernadette, Jenkins and Robin Stubbs of Cleveland, Ohio; Stephen Roberts of Cocoa, Florida; Nichole Roberts, Christopher (Ebony) Roberts and Samantha Roberts of Huntsville, AL; daughters-in-law: La Ronda (Reese) Roberts of Palm Bay and Ebony Roberts of Huntsville, AL; one son-in-love: Zontioni (Tony) Jackson of Orlando, FL; one (1) special sister: Allene (Clark) Hardwick of Detroit, Michigan; six (6) nieces: Grace Mack, Ernestine Carter, Willie Mae Miller and Ellan Miller of Lakeland, Georgia, Amina Miller of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Deborah (Ernest Jr.) Carter of Valdosta, Georgia; three (3) nephews Bishop Cessor (Rhetta) Houston, Sr. and Willie Edward (Joanne) Houston of Lakeland, Georgia and Vincent (Elaine) Houston of Valdosta, Georgia; eighteen (18) grandchildren and ten (10) great-grandchildren.

Deacon Roberts’ sister-in-loves and brother-in-loves will truly miss him participating in the family’s Early Morning Prayer Services each weekday-they looked up to him as their “Elder”, just like a Father to the family: Gladys Louise Pitts (Eddie Lee) Keiton and Nathaniel L. (Bro) Pitts of Locust Grove, Georgia , Humphry Pitts, Jr. (Mary), Rachel M. Pitts, and Veronica (Ronie) Hunlen of Hawkinsville, Georgia, Lisa Pitts (Vincent Knowles of Cocoa, Florida and Reverend Dr. Penny R. Pitts of Loganville, Georgia.

Four (4) very special dear friends: Deacon George Simmons and Deacon Stanley (Angela) Gray of Cocoa, Florida, Deacon Lee (Betty) maul of Viera, Florida and Command Sergeant Major Harry and Chief Warrant Officer (Deborah) Collins of Huntsville, Alabama, and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, goddaughters Pastor Elder Dr. Jerry L. Crutcher and First Lady Joyce Crutcher and “The Little Indian Creek Church Members”, the Deacon Birthday Club members: Dr Crutcher, Deacon Henry Kelly and the late Deacon Dewey Shaw and Deacon Roberts’ “extended” Village that consisted of a loving community of friends, that will truly miss him!

We are certain Deacon Sam Roberts, Jr. would say:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)

A Celebration of life for Deacon Sam Roberts, Jr. also known as (SM) will be held on Saturday, August 8, at 12 noon at Little Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church 884 Indian Creek Rd. NW, Huntsville, AL. Royal Funeral home is serving the family.

Burial will follow on August 15, at 10:00 A. M. at Charles Knight Cemetery.

Public viewing will be held on Friday, August 14 at Scott and Roberts from 10:00 A. M. til 5:00 P. M.

If you are unable to attend the committal service, please join us on scottandrobertsmortuary.com to witness Deacon Roberts service.

Scott and Roberts Mortuary is serving the family.

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