Harold Allen Roberts

December 22, 1933 - December 15, 2011

Rev. Harold Allen Roberts, age 77, husband of Carolyn "Bryson" Roberts, and a resident of Galloway Street in Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Maury Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. A Funeral Service for Mr. Roberts will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home with Rev. Rick Points and Pastor Joe Bowers officiating. Interment will follow in the Godwin Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post #19 of Columbia. The family will visit with friends on Friday, December 16, 2011 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and then again on Saturday from Noon until the 2:00 PM funeral hour. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family and is in charge of the arrangements. A native of Maury County, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Sam Martin Roberts, Sr. and the late Beulah Cook Roberts Baker. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was a construction worker for many years and a Baptist preacher for over 50 years. He also sung with the gospel group "The Joyful Echoes". He loved country music and he loved to play his guitar. Some of his favorite artists were Hank Williams, Sr., Johnny Cash and Jimmie Rodgers. He was a member of Godwin Chapel Methodist Church. This very loving and God-serving minister and family man will truly be missed by all who knew and loved Him. Today he is singing in the choir of Heaven; yet a void will be felt here in his absence. As the book of Revelation teaches us, although he has ceased from his labors, his works will follow on behind him. In addition to his loving wife Carolyn of 44 years, he left behind to cherish his memory his three sons: Hank (Elaine) Roberts of Columbia, TN, Wesley Roberts of Culleoka, TN, and Marty( Jan) Roberts, Sr., of Culleoka, TN; three daughters: Doris (Gordon) Thomas, Yolanda Roberts, and Penny (Clifford) Cates all of Columbia, TN; the mother of five of his children, Ann Cates Roberts of Columbia, TN; 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; step brother, Charles (Ruby) Baker of Columbia, TN; stepsister, Eunice Ellis of Colorado; two sisters-in-laws: Lucy Jo Roberts of Texas and Barbara Roberts of Columbia, TN; several sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, three foster children, five foster grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Sam M. Roberts, Jr. and Claude E. Roberts, Sr.; uncles: Thomas Cook, Sam Cook and Gilbert Cook; aunts: Sadie Cook, Roberta Johnson and Lennie Cook; cousin, Rowena Gilliam; mother and father-in-law, Sarah and Richard Bryson, and his stepdad, James "Jim" Baker. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Jeremy Roberts, Bradley Thomas, Roy Roberts, Jr., B.J. Cates, Jacob Cates, Eric Chappell, Donald Lovely and Joe Woodard. Honorary pallbearers will include: Men of Godwin Chapel, Steve Hodge, Claude Roberts, Jr., Murray Culberson, Mark Randolph, and James Keeton. Memorials may be made to the Caris Healthcare, 1412 Trotwood Avenue, Suite 11 or Maury County Special Olympics, c/o Shannon Lanius, 412 W. 9th Street, Columbia, TN, 38401. Condolences may be sent to the family at Heritage Funeral Home website: www.tnFunerals.com.