Raymond E. Roberts Sr.'s Obituary
ROBERTS, Raymond E., Sr., 82, of Lebanon, passed away Saturday, June 3, 2023, at his residence with his family by his side.
Raymond graduated from Harveysburg High School, class of 1960. He married Hazel Bowles the same year, and they were married 52 years when Hazel passed away. In more recent years, he married Charlene Sanford Clark.
Raymond was a hard worker and worked 18 years for Settlemyre Seed Farm. He worked an additional 18 years working for Wilson Concrete Products in Centerville. After semi-retiring, he returned to work for Auto Value in Wilmington as a parts driver. Including several jobs when he was younger, he worked over 50 years before officially retiring in 2014. Also notable and for several years, he was elected to and served as Mayor for the Village of Harveysburg.
Raymond was a member of Jonah’s Run Baptist Church in Wilmington. He loved his church and his church family and enjoyed working around the church by mowing the church grounds.
Kind, loving, and giving, Raymond would do anything to help his family and anyone else who needed help. He also had an ornery and goofy side and always had a joke to tell. He had a big heart and was known to rescue animals in need or assist those in need by giving them a place to live and other assistance. In describing Raymond’s selflessness, a family member said, “he was a man whose needs were few and his wants were fewer.”
He always admired the local farms and farmers working in the area, especially John Deere tractors. He always looked forward to the spring and fall when the farmers were working in the fields so that he could drive the country roads and watch them perform their work. He collected miniature model tractors and other farm-related models. His love of tractors and farm equipment made him always look forward to attending the Corwin Tractor Show in the spring and the Antique Tractor and Machinery Show at Oeder’s Lake near Morrow each year. Of course, due to his bias toward John Deere, he always emphasized looking for his favorite JD models and never hesitated to share with others why they are the best. In addition, he greatly enjoyed watching old westerns and the Korean War sitcom, Mash. Of course, spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was his favorite way to spend his free time.
He had a tradition of getting away for the weekends by traveling to Stanton, Kentucky, and the Red River Gorge area to take in the beauty of the area, visit family, and eat at his favorite restaurants, the Purple Cow in Beattyville and Bruen’s Restaurant in Stanton. In addition, taking long country rides in his jeep, which almost always involved stopping for dinner, was another favorite tradition. Among many things, he will always be remembered for carrying a cigar and a peppermint in his pocket and for humorously telling one of his favorite jokes when seeing friends and family every day. He will also be remembered as a genuine man and a man of his word.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Hazel; his parents, Walter and Jessie Roberts; five of his six siblings, Opal Hauser, Virginia Campbell, Doris Howard, Kenneth & Donnie Roberts; and step-grandson, Eli Nardi. He is survived by his wife, Charlene (Sanford-Clark); his daughters, Deborah (Ritchie) Clark and Teresa Roberts; his son Raymond Roberts Jr; four grandchildren, Casey Rae, Corey, MaKenzie, and Ashleigh Roberts; six great-grandchildren, Adrian, Kalynn, Lane, Waylon, Cash, & Evander; one sister, Margaret Pennington; stepdaughters, Charnelle (Vince) Bees, Allison (Tommy) Howard, Katie (Steve) Agenbroad; six step-grandchildren, Charla and Zoe Bees, Johnathon and Thomson Howard, and Lily and Daisy Agenbroad; and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, June 13, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery, Corwin. Kirk Mootispaw will be officiating the services. The family will receive friends 5 - 8 PM Monday at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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