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BALDWYN – Larry Ralph Roberts, age 83, passed from his earthly home into
Heaven on July 6, 2023 at Sanctuary Hospice House with his family at his side.
Born to Curtis Roberts and Edith Ingram Roberts on April 8, 1940 in Lee County,
MS, he was the eldest of six brothers raised west of Baldwyn on the family farm.
He married Freida Joyce Rogers in 1961 and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage.
Larry graduated from Baldwyn High School in 1958, driving a school bus his senior
year to earn money for college, then attended Northeast Mississippi Junior
College. After graduating, he chose marriage and starting a family, foregoing his
plan to attend Mississippi State University studying agronomy. He began a
successful career with Blue Bell, Inc., starting in Baldwyn, then moving to Ripley in
1967, eventually managing the Wrangler jeans facility there for over 25 years. His
facility was one of the largest employers in Tippah County, and became a model
for the company in productivity, efficiency and low turnover, a testament to his
work ethic and the way he loved and cared for the over 300 employees. While in
Ripley, Larry faithfully served First Baptist Church, and was a member of the
Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, serving as president of both. After
retirement, Larry and Freida returned to Baldwyn to care for their aging parents
where Larry began a successful cattle farm, which he enjoyed until his health
failed late last year. He was an active member of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s
Association. A man who couldn’t sit still, Larry always found something to keep
busy, as if raising cattle wasn’t enough, and he cherished any opportunity to help
someone in need, sharing what God had blessed him with.
Larry was a wise and generous soul who was loved by so many and will be greatly
missed but never forgotten. He had a natural gift to always brighten your day with
a positive perspective. He was a master gardener before there was the term,
growing beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetable gardens for many to enjoy. A
member of Baldwyn First Baptist Church, Larry was a man who loved the God who
saved him, loving his family well, especially his grandchildren, cherishing every
opportunity to teach them about hunting, fishing, farming and life. The Roberts
farm hosted the grandchildren and their friends often, with never a dull moment.
Seldom was a grandchild’s ballgame or other activity missed, and Larry and Freida
made many lifelong friends along the way.
Larry’s survivors include his wife Freida; sons Kurt (Kim) Roberts and Tim
(Rosanne) Roberts of Tupelo; grandchildren Andy (Maggie) Roberts, Wes Roberts,
John Daniel Roberts, Carson Roberts, Gracie Roberts, Montana (Matt) Purvis, and
Macon Murff; great-grandchildren Jasper Purvis, Reese Roberts and Rush Purvis;
brothers Mitchell Roberts, Kenny Roberts, Johnny (Laura) Roberts and Toney
(Judy) Roberts.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved daughter
Kimberly Jean Roberts and brother Ted Roberts.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at
Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn, with Bro. Stanley Huddleston and Bro. Bryan
Horner officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be from 11:00 a.m. until
service time. Burial will be at the Ingram Baptist Church cemetery.
His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Davis,
Harold Grissom, Charles McVey, Dennis Garner, Jerry Robinson, Neal Clement,
Lanny Russell, Jimmy Joe Wallace and Mack Williams.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice at 5159 W. Main Street, Tupelo,
MS 38801 or First Baptist Church, 500 S. Fourth Street, Baldwyn, MS 38824.
