Joe E. Roberts

On Wednesday, May 9, 2018, Joe E. Roberts left this earthly world with grace and dignity to be with his heavenly family. Joe was born the youngest of 5 in Dale Country, Alabama. His family, deep in faith, attended his grandfather’s church. Music, the Lord and family was the focus. His brothers and he had a radio show in those years to play blue grass and gospel. They were the "SawGrass Ramblers". He grew up picking cotton alongside his family and they moved often around South Alabama Route 2. It was in those cotton fields he would see the planes fly over. All of his male siblings joined the military at very young ages, to serve our country. Joe joined the USAF at 17, and became a load master, a career which took him around the world many times. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam War and several special and rescue missions including operation Deep Freeze. He loved the Hercy Bird and was the first load master to log a 100 hours on the c130a. His 22 year career in the Air Force came with many sacrifices. He retired out of Keesler Air Force Base on June 30, 1973 and made the Gulf Coast his home. He traveled often to visit his South Alabama Route 2 roots and family. He owned several businesses in Biloxi and became involved in many campaigns. He became well known and always respected. His final career was as the Harrison County District 2 Veterans Service officer where he worked until 2007 where he worked tirelessly to assist veterans. He was a Member of the NRA, American Legion, and life member of the VFW, Post 6731 where he held every office, at Post level many more than once, and at State level including President. He was also in the M.O.C. where he again held office including at the State level. He served this country, it's citizens and his comrades in and out of uniform. Joe was preceded in death by his favorite grandpa, Jim Wright; mother, Mittie Lee Wright; father, Homer Roberts; his dearest sister, Margret Roberts Dykes and her husband, Oddis Dykes; and brothers, Harold, Jack and Max. He is survived by his soul mate and bride, Betty Havens Roberts of Vancleave; children, Jessie Roberts (Michelle) of Virginia, Sandi Roberts Kirk (Lloyd) of Vancleave, Pat Tanner of Vancleave, Phillip Roberts of Virginia, John R Woodcock III of Ohio and Bruce K Woodcock (Betty) of Florida; grandchildren and great grandchildren, David and Patrick Dossett, Samantha, Dustin and Alex Kirk, Phillip Roberts, Bruce and Caleb Franklin, Kaylee Branham, Aszlyn Waltman, Joshua Dossett, and John R, Sarah, Cody, Heath and Grant Woodcock; special nieces, CeCe Johnson (Frank) of MS, Linda Spears of LA, and Mibby Roberts (Ray) of AL; his beloved only cousin of his generation, Ann Wright Thomas of AL; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, many of whom were inspired to serve in our military by Joe’s example. Funeral service will be held on Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A graveside will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be hosted afterwards at VFW 6731 on West Gay Road in D’Iberville.