2nd Timothy 4-7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith.”
Odes Earl Roberson, 85, of Hampton, was called away to be with the Lord early Sunday morning, August 13, 2017, at Hillview Health Center.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Clarence R. and Maude Ingram Roberson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Dawn Roberson; three sisters, Arletha Roberson, Ruby Whitehead and Ethel Frost; and two brothers, Robert and William Roberson.
Odes was an active and faithful member of Hampton First Baptist Church whose members have ministered to him during his brief battle with lung cancer. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked as an auto mechanic at Presnell Motors for 19 years and retired from the City of Elizabethton after 17 years of service.
Odes is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mildred McKinney Roberson, who would not leave his bedside, and his children, Gina Hicks and O.J. Roberson and wife Cindy. He was blessed with three grandchildren, Kriston Hicks, Dale Roberson and Patrick Roberson. He has many cousins, nephews and nieces who were beloved to him. His lifelong friend Joe “Bud” Smith. His special friends, John and Carolyn Williams, Carlas and Joy Lambert, Bob and Shirley Taylor, Kathy and Grady Lyles, Ron and Judy Owens, and his eldest son and daughter, Ralph and Vanessa McKinney.
Funeral services for Odes Earl Roberson will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Norman Markland officiating. Graveside services and interment will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 17, in the Roberson Family Cemetery, Ingram Branch, Roan Mountain, with the Rev. Ron Owens officiating. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the cemetery at 9:50 a.m. Thursday, will be Patrick Roberson, Dale Roberson, Larry Whitehead, Roger Whitehead, Mike Whitehead and Gary Lynn Roberson. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hampton First Baptist Church, 407 First Avenue, Hampton, TN 37658 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-990. Military Honors will be provided by the Carter County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at his residence. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Roberson family.