Shelby Gene Roberts, age 79, passed peacefully on Saturday, October 31, 2020. He was born in Monroe County, Mississippi, one of six children to the late Lonnie E. Roberts, Sr. and Ester Pearl (Underwood) Roberts. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia (Davis) Roberts.

Mr. Roberts graduated from Sulligent High School in 1961, where he played football and basketball.  During his high school athletic career, he achieved numerous honors including Allstate football and the Lamar County High School Football Hall of Fame recognitions. He received collegiate athletic scholarship offers from the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and Mississippi State University for football.

Mr. Roberts previously worked at Hyster-Yale Group (Sulligent, AL), Kellogg Company (Memphis, TN), and McCoy Manufacturing (MS). He enjoyed coaching his children in youth football and baseball. Later during retirement, he enjoyed fishing and founding Blazer Cattle Company. He was a devoted member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church for many years.

Shelby is survived by his wife, Patricia Roberts; his sons Barry L. and his wife Myra S. Roberts, and Michael G. and his wife Jennifer A. Roberts; his five grandchildren, Ashley (Roberts) and her husband Eric C. Platte, Christie (Roberts) and her husband Ben Crow, Tyler B. and his wife Mary Scott S. Roberts, Collin D. Roberts, and W. Connor and his wife Tia B. Roberts; and his four great grandchildren, Mason L. Platte, Olivia C. Platte, Roy G. Crow, and Cason B. Roberts; and his sister Lottie Mae Spruiell. He is preceded in death by his parents Lonnie E. and Ester Pearl (Underwood) Roberts; his three brothers, Hildreth Roberts, Lonnie (Junior) Roberts, and Harold Roberts; and his sister Ann (Roberts) Fowler.

Funeral services will be held at Otts Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, with burial to follow at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Brother Glenn Hughes will officiate the service.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to the funeral service from 12:00 until 1:00 pm.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at: www.ottsfuneralhome.net

Otts Funeral Home

Sulligent, AL, Directing