Jerry Lynn Roberts

Jerry Lynn Roberts was born in Magnolia, Arkansas, the second of four children of Willie Wendell and Mary Ima Roberts. When Jerry was 11, the family moved to Kilgore, Texas where he ultimately excelled as a student leader at Kilgore College. As the Voice of the Rangerettes, Jerry announced at the 1974 Cotton Bowl.

Following his parents’ example of serving others, Jerry dedicated himself to a life of service as a teacher, school counselor, minister, and singer. He began as a youth minister in East Texas and eventually became associate minister in Galveston, Texas. During this time he had two children, Cory and Rebecca. After several years in ministry, he moved to Houston and enrolled in the education program at the University of Houston so he could become a teacher and have summers free to be with his children. At UH he met the love of his life, Roger Leslie, with whom he was married for 41 years.

Jerry spent all those years in public education where he touched countless lives as a teacher and counselor in Pasadena ISD and then Spring Branch ISD. He set an example for success by pursuing his passion for being a singer, performing in musical theater (Company, 1988), recording a CD as part of a Christmas quartet (Yuletiders, 1999), and singing at nursing homes and churches throughout Texas.

Those church performances led Jerry back to ministry where he became senior minister at Unity of The Woodlands. In that role, he secured a million-dollar building project for a new sanctuary, presided over countless weddings and funerals, and created a loving, safe space for disenfranchised LGBTQ+ youth.

Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Willie and survived by his mother, Mary Ima; his husband, Roger; his children, Cory (wife Carrie) and Rebecca (spouse Lindsey); five grandchildren, Mary, Hank, Lincoln, Ryann, and Reef; and his siblings, Judy (husband Michael), Robin (wife Sherron), and Jeff; and his nieces, Hilary, Anna (husband Nick), and Caroline (husband Austin).

Jerry found joy in Razorback football, dachshunds, naps, cruises, slot machines, The Golden Girls, and margaritas.

He died peacefully at MD Anderson Cancer Center with Roger at his side. His Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 18 at Unity Houston at 2929 Unity Drive in Houston, TX.