Orlander Roberts

ROBERTS, Mr. Orlander - Age 98, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at Briarwood Nursing Home. Family hour 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave.., with funeral service commencing at 12Noon, Pastor Carlos D. Williams officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11 a.m. Tuesday. Mr. Roberts will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1-8 p.m. Monday, with family present from 4-6 p.m. Mr. Orlander Jordan Roberts, Sr. was born on February 29, 1912 in Rison Arkansas, the son of Wesley and Geneva Bussey Roberts. At an early age, the family moved to Pine Bluff Arkansas, where he met and married his wife of 75 years, Velma Billings Roberts. He attended the public schools of Pine Bluff, including Arkansas A and M College. After relocating to Flint, Michigan, he was employed and retired from Buick a division of General Motors and was a member of UAW Local 599. After relocating to Flint in 1937, Mr. Roberts joined Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, one of its founding members, under the pastorate of Rev. T.L. Ballou at Metropolitan, he was active in servicing on the Board of Trustees, teaching Sunday School, driving the Sunday School Bus and he was a member of the Phebian Missionary Circle. He was a member of the NAACP, Urban League, the Gamma Delta Anthropos, and during the 1950’s, the owner of O.J.’s New and Used Furniture. Mr. Roberts also completed Mott Community College classes in furniture upholstery and refrigeration. The Orlander and Velma Roberts family was named as the 1967 FAMILY OF THE YEAR by the Urban League of Flint. Mr. Roberts enjoyed fishing, square dancing, discussing current events and civil rights issues, with an appreciation for music and a strong belief in education. He was known for great storytelling, an ability for automobile repair and all aspects of home improvement, and he communicated with an infectious sense of humor. His strong faith in God and family influenced all who came into contact with him. He was friendly, outgoing, and appreciated as a man of peace. Mr. Orlander J. Roberts leaves to cherish his memory: His wife, Mrs. Velma Roberts of Flint; 2 daughters, Marlene (Melvin) Eubanks of Maplewood, NJ, and Beverly June Henry; 2 sons, Russell Roberts-Bey and Lawrence Roberts, all of Flint; grandchildren, Cheryl Henry and Mark Henry of Flint, Brian Henry and Jeanette Henry Sterling of Charlotte, N. C., Byron (Marnise) Roberts of Canton, MI, Wesley Roberts-Bey of Flint, David Roberts of New York, N.Y., Jamil Roberts of Baltimore, MD and Nelson Eubanks of Maplewood, N.J.; 12 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; sister, Mrs. Ora Bell Wilson of Flint; several nieces, nephews and cousins; a host of other relatives and friends, including the Roberts, Billings, Rucker, Edmonds, Feaster, Kelley, Tidwell, Reeves, Hazel and Henry families. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Orlando J Roberts Jr.; parents; brother, Mack Roberts; and sister, Rose Nell Johnson. The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Carlos D. Williams and the members of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, The Bethel United Methodist Church Mature Adult Ministry, The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Inc., Heartland Hospice and Briarwood Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

Orlander Roberts

February 29, 1912 - October 20, 2010