Uvalda,

Mr. Benjamin Franklin “Ben” Roberts, age 86, of Uvalda, died Friday, March 23, 2018, in the Augusta University Medical Center, after a brief illness. He was a native of the Center Community, in 1949 joined the U.S. Navy, was a veteran of the Korean War where served on the USS New Jersey. In 1955, he moved to Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until returning to Center in 1973. He was a member of Iron Workers Union #25 for sixty years, Smyrna United Methodist Church, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of Mt. Clemens Masonic Lodge #6 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Scottish Rite in Bay City, Michigan, was a Shriner, and a member of the Vidalia-Lyons Moose Lodge #1281. He enjoyed cooking for family gatherings, and formerly held a pilot’s license. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Donna “Suze” Roberts in 2009; a daughter, Denise Roberts Dasher; parents, Sim Gray Roberts and Edna Mae Dykes Roberts; sister, Frances Roberts Cooper; brother, Billy Roberts; and an infant sister.

Mr. Roberts is survived by five children, David Ben Roberts and wife Stephanie of Hazlehurst, Kenny Roberts and wife Janet of Canton, Kevin Roberts and wife Dena of Leesburg, Dale Roberts and wife Karla of Aiken, South Carolina, and Karen Roberts Creamer and husband Dearl of Cedar Crossing; four siblings, Grace Hazewinkel of Columbia, South Carolina, Juanita Bullard, Carlton Roberts, both of Toombs County, and Diane Winslett and husband Carlton of the Center Community; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 28th at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Reverend Ron Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens with Military Honors.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children by visiting their website at shrinershospitalsforchildren.…