THEODORE WILLIAM ROBERTS IN MEMORIAM

Formally, a department store manager for Roses, Kresge, Newberry, in Edenton, North Carolina went into business with D. B. Lilies (a former jewelry merchant). In Columbia, Kentucky Theodore went into business for himself (Roberts 5-10-25¢ Store). This store was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve 1944. The article "Flames Swept Business Block" appears in the Adair County Newspaper on 3 January 1945. A Mason, Theodore was a faithful Methodist for years in Edenton, Madison, and Carthage, North Carolina; and later in Columbia and Lebanon, Kentucky. His daughter, Thera Mae Roberts remembers especially his playing Santa Claus for the Edenton Methodist Episcopal Church in the 1930s. Although, he was often transferred, he managed to secure work during the depression and gave his family a fairly decent way of life. In October 1964, Grandpa Theodore Roberts came to visit his daughter Thera and his grandsons: DeCody Brad, Kenton Randall, and Duane Brett Marble in Ashland, Ohio. He had just visited his son Theodore "Ted" William Jr. in Lebanon, Kentucky. During his week visit, Grandpa Roberts took his grandsons for a ride in his Volkswagen and bought pastries at the bakery. After his departure for Illinois, Thera and the grandsons discussed how much time it took Grandpa to climb up the staircase and the smell of muscle ointment from his person. The following month, Grandpa Theodore Roberts died of lung cancer. He had known of his serious ailment and had visited his loved ones for the last time.