Benjamin Sterling Roth

Sterling was a devoted and loving husband to his wife of 55 years, Patricia Hicks Roth, and an amazing and dedicated father to Jennifer (Dave) Cook, Stacy (Bill) Roth, and Jonathan (Denae) Roth. Sterling was the most adoring “Papaw” in the world to his loving grandchildren Lindsey (Austin), Anna Kate, Carter, Jack, Max Lawton, Samantha, and David and great-grandchildren Benjamin and Warner. He is also survived by his two younger brothers Ronnie and Glenn.

He was born February 17, 1946 in Sumter, SC to Sam and Cecelia Roth. While growing up in Charlotte, NC he spent time at his father’s haberdashery, fielded baseballs from the “hot corner,” and played in putt-putt competitions. He graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and from then on, Sterling was truly a Tarheel through and through!

Sterling entered the Air Force as an officer in 1968 and met the love of his life while stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base. He served honorably across the U.S. and World including as Comptroller and CFO of the Air University while also completing his MBA from Michigan State University.

After the Air Force, Sterling focused on higher-education auditing, eventually retiring as the Chief Audit Officer at Georgia State University in Atlanta. While at Georgia State, Sterling earned his Ph.D in Educational Policy Studies in 2012 and loved cheering on the Panthers—supporting the basketball and football programs each season while hardly ever missing a game.

Sterling spent his life as a fierce advocate for his family. He was an incredible writer—whether it was his dissertation or a birthday card inscription—and loved deeply. He also enjoyed completing the daily NYT crossword puzzles and Wordle and watching almost any movie or televised sporting event he could (especially the Braves). He also loved people, especially the close connection he had with coworkers, and he treasured being able to stay connected when his health permitted. Always up for an adventure, Sterling frequently went with his family on beach trips and in recent years was finally able to visit NYC, which he loved to tell everyone about!

One of his hallmarks was generosity—he supported countless charities and schools and was a major contributor to the Woodstock City Church, where he and Patricia attended. He was a frequent volunteer, a former deacon and Sunday school teacher, and never turned down an opportunity to attend one of his grandchildren’s events. He had a particular compassion for the less fortunate and oppressed and truly lived out his faith each day through his actions—inspiring each of us who had the privilege to know him.

Sterling will be laid to rest with military honors at Georgia National Cemetery on Friday, February 27. There will be a visitation at Poole Funeral Home in Woodstock, GA beginning at 10:00 AM with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, we hope you will consider donating to a cause near to your heart as Sterling so often did himself.