Mr. Donald Gene Roberts, Sr. of Newport departed this life on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the age of 77. He was born March 16, 1946, the son of Mr. Juna Roberts and Ms. Lela (Adams) Roberts.
Donald began farming on the Roberts Family Farm as a young teen and continued farming for over 40 years. During the winters of the 1970s, 80’s, and 90’s he also worked as a funeral assistant at Jackson’s Funeral Homes. In 2000, Donald retired from actively farming and became a full-time funeral assistant at Jackson’s and continued working full-time until several weeks ago.
Donald was an avid outdoorsman and a skilled hunter and fisherman. He spent many hours hunting deer, squirrel, dove, turkey, frog gigging, and fishing with his three children, grandchildren, and many friends.
Donald was a loyal friend and could be depended on any time he was needed, day or night. He never met a stranger and quickly made friends with people he met. Donald loved his community of Jacksonport and served several years as a member and president of the Massey Alexander Levee Board. He also worked diligently with his friends and neighbors when Jacksonport would flood.
Above all, Donald loved the Lord. He was an active and devoted member of the Jacksonport Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon since being ordained on October 7, 2012.
Donald’s greatest love on this Earth was his family. He met and married the love of his life, Miss Maude Drennin on February 10, 1967. Together they raised three children in a Christian home and were blessed with 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The couple worked hard and made a life filled with love and were loved by their family and friends.
Donald will forever be remembered for his big heart, his generosity, and his readiness to help in times of need. His friendship was a treasure and if you had the good fortune to be a friend or family of Donald Roberts, you were truly blessed.
Donald was preceded in death by his daughter, Dana Louise Roberts on May 17, 2022; one sister, Mary Ann (Roberts) Henley on March 6, 2021; and his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Maude (Drennin) Roberts, of the home; one daughter, Donna Roberts Williams and husband, Gene, of Judsonia; one son, Donald Roberts, Jr. and wife, Jill, of Beebe; his grandchildren, Tyler Williams and wife, Jaclynn, Ainsley Roberts, and Tate Roberts; two great-grandchildren, Kylynn James Williams and Kennley Tyler Williams; one brother, Dale Roberts and wife, Peggy, of Campbell Station; two sisters, Cathy Ponder and husband, Don, and Linda Hembrey and husband, Richard, all of Newport; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jr. and Linda Drennin; sister-in-law, Maxine Sneed, of Newport; a special friend whom he loved like a son, Steve Cordell; several other relatives and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit the funeral home Monday, October 30, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at Jackson’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ray Fultner officiating. The interment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Arizona Sharp, Reese Camp, Nick Robertson, Steve Cordell, Robert Evans, and Eli Long. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Schlotzhauer, Rob Walker, Greg King, and Little John Walker.
Memorial may be made to The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Jacksonport Baptist Church, 300 Dillard, Jacksonport, AR 72075, or Walnut Grove Cemetery Association, 9 Virginia Rd., Newport, AR 72112.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
