James Maurice Roberts

James Maurice Roberts, “lover of the land,” was born in Dale County, Alabama to Reverend James Murry and Mrs. Dollie Waters Roberts on March 11, 1929.  A student in the public school system of Dale County, he graduated from Ozark Colored High School, received a B.S. Degree from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, and completed additional studies at several universities and colleges.

He was drafted into the United States Army, served in the Korean Conflict, and received an honorable discharge.  After coming back, he was a teacher of math and science in the Dothan City School system for 28 years, but he never lost his love of farming. 

Among many positions of honor and trust, and as a lifelong servant of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, he was elected several times as a delegate to African Methodist Episcopal General Conferences, President of the Southeast Alabama Conference Lay Organization, and Southeast Alabama Richard Allen Resource Center. At Stringer Street African Methodist Episcopal  Church,  he served as Chair of the Steward Board, Lay President, Class Leader, Sunday School Teacher, and on the Church Building Committee. 

Family was a special blessing as he was married for 68 years to Gracie Brisbon Roberts, and they had two children, James Monroe “Mony” Roberts (deceased in 1976) and Kim Roberts Johnson (son-in-law, Wendell);  two (2) grandchildren, James Johnson and Maya Johnson.  His family also included sisters, Brenda Joyce Harper (Oresta, deceased) and Abigail Jones (Eddie, both deceased); nephew, Oresta “Jerry” Harper (Jennifer); nieces, Oretha Harper Tyson (Willie), Jan Burkes (Frank, deceased), Cindi Payne (Condre), and a host of cousins and friends.    

James, his grandson, summed up his life in a recent post:

“I thank God for giving my grandfather 95 years on this earth.  It’s a blessing to be born in the 1920’s and make it to 2024!  Thank you for being an awesome example of what a man should be:  nice, caring, gentle, and loving all the time.  You left a great legacy for me to follow.  You loved God and your family with all your heart. God was ready for his son to come home.  Rest In Peace, James.”

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