Fred McGee Roberts Sr.

Fred McGee Roberts, Sr., 87, of Warner Robins, Georgia, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, 746 Cherry Street, Macon, Georgia 31201, followed by a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery, with Reverend Don Feezor officiating. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until the service begins.

Born in Sturgeon, Missouri, he was the tenth and youngest son of Levi Harrison Roberts and Bessie Mae Roberts. Fred M. Roberts, Sr. was preceded in death by his son, Fred “Mac” Roberts, Jr.; his six sisters and three brothers.

Mr. Roberts served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1961 and was stationed in Germany and France with two tours to Africa. When he returned home, he was stationed at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia. After his honorable discharge, he began a career at The Bibb Manufacturing Company in Macon, Georgia. Initially he worked as the Paymaster at Payne City Mill, and in a few years was promoted to Accounting Manager. He retired after 38 years of faithful service.

He met his wife and best friend, Annette, on a Greyhound bus on Christmas Eve, 1959. He loved to tell the story about how he thought of her on his bus ride back home and looked up her number in the phone book at the bus station. That is when he called her for their first date. They were married 63 years. They raised their children in a new Macon neighborhood, Bloomfield, where they enjoyed a “Leave it to Beaver” lifestyle. He taught his children to have faith and pray, to be responsible and to love others.

Fred Roberts, Sr. was a true patriot who loved his country. Two of his brothers were active-duty soldiers in World War II, while they survived it had a profound effect on them and the entire family. He watched his mother work at the voting polls and listened to her opinions about political matters. He taught his children everything he could about the Constitution, history and the importance of civic duty. He followed the news closely and concerned himself with both foreign and domestic matters. He shared his concerns and ideas with letters to several presidents, but most were to Ronald Reagan. He was able to cast a presidential vote one last time in 2024, never straying from his commitment to conservative public policy. He wrote books and poetry and documented his thoughts in notebooks regularly. His counsel was often sought by family, friends and neighbors because his intelligence was without question his greatest strength. He had a commanding presence about him that created instant respect from strangers and reverence from all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Annette Pate Roberts of Warner Robins, Georgia; daughter Melinda R. Sams (Frank) of Warner Robins, Georgia; daughter-in-law Margo Roberts of Macon, Georgia; grandchildren, Casey Sams of Macon, Georgia, Reid Sams of Powder Springs, Georgia, Brittany Roberts of Macon, Georgia, Justin Roberts of Warner Robins, Georgia, Kristin Koontz of Springfield, Georgia, Jacob Roberts of Macon, Georgia, Shannon Roberts of Perry, Georgia and Tabatha Kipp of Liberty, South Carolina; and nine great-grandchildren. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, his favorite surviving niece is Earline Watkins of Missouri, who was two months old when he was born. Earline was like a sister to him.

The family wishes to thank the Phoenix @ Lake Joy Assisted Living Facility staff for their exceptional care, genuine concern and love they have shown “Mr. Fred”.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry St. has charge of the arrangements.