Obit – Mr. W. Gray Roberts Jr.
Mr. W. Gray Roberts Jr. age 71 of the Rome Community was called home to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:17 a.m. Wednesday morning March 25, 2026 at the Highpoint Health – Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin with his family all present.
Funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home were conducted Sunday afternoon March 29th with his minister Donnie Rhoten officiating and Charles Poston delivering the eulogy. Burial followed in the Garden of Everlasting Life at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.
He was born Willard Gray Roberts Jr. in Tompkinsville in Monroe County, Kentucky on November 26, 1954 to the late Turkey Creek Community in Clay County native, Willard Gray Roberts Sr. who died September 4, 1997 at the age of 74 and Moss Community in Clay County native, Bernice (Miss B.) Head Roberts who died July 3, 2016 at the age of 87. He was the second child born of five children, one son and four daughters.
A sister, Kimberly Roberts Harmon succumbed to cancer at the age of 53 on March 5, 2018.
Mr. Roberts was a member of the 1973 graduating class at Smith County High School. His major was social studies, he was an outstanding football player and played his final three years, was in the “C” Club three years and the Pep Club all four years. He was a junior play usher and a member of the speech club his junior year, and was secretary of his senior class.
Mr. Roberts was united in marriage on September 12, 1975 to Elmwood Community native, the former Deborah Lyn Huddleston.
He was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union # 572 and was a pipefitter by trade. He retired in 2016 with twenty-eight years in the craft.
Mr. Roberts was a member of the Bethlehem Church of Christ in the Tuckers Cross Roads Community.
He was a former member of the Smith County Cattleman’s Association.
“A man of deep faith and a devoted husband, Mr. Roberts cherished above all else the time he spent with his family. His happiest moments were found alongside his children at ballparks, football fields, and the many activities they pursued. Yet, as with any parent, his greatest joy was reflected in the bright, shining eyes of the grandchildren. Known to them as “Pa Gray,” he spent every possible moment attending T-ball, volleyball, baseball, basketball, softball, and football games, cheering them on with unwavering pride. There was never a more devoted fan than Pa Gray, who never failed to offer them an encouraging word or his trademark, simple grin, which solidified in their hearts that they were his favorite. And in truth, to him, they each were.”
Scripture tells us in Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” and indeed, what a legacy he has left.”
Surviving in addition to his wife Deborah of over fifty years are their three children, Richard Gray Roberts and wife Jolonda Stewart Roberts, Racheal Lynn Roberts all of the Rome Community, Rebecca Suzanne Roberts Candela and husband Stephen of Chalybeate, Kentucky; three sisters, Deborah Roberts Weidner and husband Scott of the Rome Community, Diane Roberts Beadsley and husband Larry of Lebanon, Tamarah Roberts Pryor and husband Charles of the Defeated Creek Community; 10 grandchildren, Allison Moore and husband Isaac of Lafayette, Aubree Heady, Lucas Roberts, Kailyn Roberts, Adam Heady, Ryder Roberts, Olivia Candela, Katherine Candela, Oaklynn Gray Candela, & Baby Candela to be born shortly.
The Roberts family has requested memorials to the Bethlehem Church of Christ.
SANDERSON of CARTHAGE
