Willie Lee Roberts

Obituary For Willie Lee Roberts

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Willie Lee Roberts.

Willie Lee Roberts was born November 29, 1932 in Baldwin, Florida to Willie H. and Bolsie Roberts. The oldest of five boys and one girl. Willie accepted Christ as a young age at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Baldwin Florida where his father was a deacon. He graduated from Stanton high school in Jacksonville Florida. After a brief job at the Jacksonville shipping dock, Willie decided to travel to Tallahassee to attend Florida A & M University (FAMU).

At FAMU he was active in the marching band, army ROTC and pledged the Beta Nu chapter of Apha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from FAMU and later earned a Master of Science in Mathematics from Atlanta University. He was called to active duty in 1956 serving as a 1st lieutenant in the Army signal corps and spending time overseas in Korea. After service, Willie returned to Tallahassee where he began his career as a Math professor at FAMU for almost 50 years. Willie was introduced to the love of his life Mary Warren a FAMU piano professor by his best friend Dr. Osiefield Anderson in the FAMU faculty dining hall. They would marry in 1963 and have their only son Wilkie in 1968. He would continue his education finishing course work for a PhD in mathematics at Florida State University.

Willie enjoyed gardening, technology, handyman home projects and writing My View articles in the Tallahassee Democrat where he would often share his straight forward uncompromising opinions on the community and worldwide events. He was a faithful member of the historic Bethel Missionary Baptist church. An active member for over 50 years, he regularly attended the men’s Sunday school class, where they would engage in spirited discussion. He enjoyed attending FAMU football games and problem solving. He could often be found at a local McDonalds with a cup of coffee working complicated mathematical equations on a napkin.

On Friday July 4, 2025, Brother Willie Lee Roberts went peacefully to his Heavenly Home for his eternal rest.

Willie is survived by Mary Warren Roberts, his beloved wife for 62 years; his son, William Keith (Wilkie) Roberts of Tallahassee, Florida; his brother,, Pastor Melvin Roberts of Monticello, Florida; his sister-in-love, June Wilson of Muskogee, Oklahoma; his brothers- in-love, Booker Warren of Decatur, Georgia and Micheal Warren of Muskogee, Oklahoma and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, church members, friends, colleagues and students.

Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. MONDAY, July 14, 2025 at Bethel M.B. Church. Entombment will follow at Tallahassee Memory Gardens.

On behalf of the staff and management of Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc., we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Willie Lee Roberts.