Jack Eugene Roberts

Jack Eugene Roberts, died Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the age of 88. A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Alan Benson officiating at Riverside Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the cemetery immediately following the service. The son of the late John Alvin Roberts and Valeria Kathryn Bearden Roberts, Jack was born in Monroe County and lived in Monticello until he moved to Macon at the age of 15. He attended Lanier High School for 2 years and graduated at age 16, the youngest member of his class. After attending Mercer University for one year, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served until the end of WWII. He remained in the Naval Reserve and returned to active duty during the Korean Conflict. After his service in the Navy, Jack had a long and successful career in the insurance business, working first for Life of Georgia for a number of years and then for Allstate for 37 years. He was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church where he attended the Roundtable Class. He was an avid gardener, hunter, and fisherman. As a child of the depression, a military veteran, a self-made man, and a devoted husband and beloved father, Jack was a classic example of "The Greatest Generation." On December 7, 1947, Jack married his beloved wife of 66 years, Barbara Handley Roberts, who preceded him in death in August 2014. Jack is survived by four children: Gena Franklin (George) of Macon; Jane Coleman (Bill) of Jacksonville, FL; Jack (Jay) Eugene Roberts, Jr. of Macon, and Shelley Hudspeth (Eddie) of Bonaire. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Nicole Franklin Fuller (Shane) of Newnan, Mary Reid Franklin Carter (Gilbert) of Macon, Andrew Coleman of Jacksonville, FL; Sarah Coleman Trickey (Kevin) of Orlando, FL, Cody Roberts and Marion Roberts of Macon; Anna Hudspeth and Rachel Hudspeth of Bonaire; and by six great-grandchildren: Katy Fuller, Mary Beth Fuller, Cooper Fuller, Jackson Trickey, Hannah Trickey and Eugenia Carter. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Utes of Miami, Florida, and six nieces and nephews. His sister Kathryn Scott preceded him in death. The Roberts family would like to thank both his loving friends and the dedicated staff at Carlyle Place's Harrington House for their many kindnesses. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Folds of Honor Foundation, 5800 N. Patriot Drive, Owasso, Oklahoma 74055, or the Alzheimer's Association, 886 Mulberry Street, Macon, Georgia 31201. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.