James Merrill Roberts

James Merrill Roberts, 61, retired Battalion Chief at the City of Pelham, AL Fire Department, passed away Monday evening, July 25, 2016. He served the fire department from January 1979 until his retirement in December 2008.

James was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1983 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. In 1996, he graduated from the University of Alabama, Birmingham with his Master's Degree in Counseling.

While his fire department leadership and other community service brought him great joy, James was proudest of his family: his loving wife, Susan Roberts; his daughter, Linley Roberts; his son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Brooke Roberts; and especially his two grandchildren, Bryant and Ross. James is also survived by his two sisters and brothers-in-law, Jeanine and Terry Walls, and Vicki and Randy Lagle; nieces and nephews, Shelli Carson (Mark), Chad Walls, Ashlei Jones (Blake), Deacon and Cannon Carson, and Noah, Jonah, and Mason Jones; and his many fellow firefighters and friends at the Pelham Fire Department.

James, a Bessemer, AL native, was predeceased by his parents, James L. Roberts and Ella Sue McEntire Roberts.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, July 29, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Pelham, followed by the 12 noon funeral service at the church. Burial, Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham. Dr. Mike Shaw will officiate.