Dr. Joseph Edward Roberts

Dr. Joseph Edward Roberts departed from this life to life eternal on Saturday July 23, 2016, at his home in Asheville, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents Florence Nell Roberts and William Richard Roberts of Leland Ms. and his sister and two brothers: Florence Nell Roberts Sloan, William Richard Roberts and James Sullivan Roberts. Joe Roberts is survived by six children: Sandra Roberts Marcus ( Dr. Lenny Marcus) Roanoke VA. and daughters Alexandra Marcus and Jordan Marcus; Joseph E Roberts Jr. (Joanna Roberts) Jackson MS. and sons Dr. John Roberts, Jason Roberts, and daughter Jennifer Roberts Bonds; William Ewell Roberts, Jackson Ms.; Mary Roberts Singleton, (Shelby Singleton, deceased) Nashville TN. and son Stuart Singleton; George Tracy Roberts (Leigh Ann Roberts) Nashville TN. and Bryan Edward Roberts ( Kari Sartorius Roberts) Biltmore Forest NC. and son William Joseph Roberts and twins Ethan Mayes Roberts and Ireland Belle Roberts, and Bryan’s Mother, Mary Bryan Roberts; Joe’s former wife of 28 years, his beloved companion and daily helpmate over the past eleven years. Joe is survived by his brother in law James Thomas Sloan and his sons: James Thomas Sloan Jr, and William Roberts Sloan; Susan Roberts, William Roberts III, Lindsay Roberts, Thomas Roberts; and LuAnn Roberts. Joe’s life was immensely enriched with love and joy when Bryan, Kari, Will, Ethan and Ireland moved back home to Asheville a year ago. Joe was born in Greenville Ms. and raised in Leland MS. From early school years through HS graduation, Joe excelled in academics, sports and music. He received the highest honors, awards and accolades in each area including, Class President every year and Valedictorian. He was a devoted son to his parents and loving brother to his siblings. He and his brothers frequently sang as a trio in his church and at community events. Joe excelled on the basketball, football and baseball fields, tennis court and during college, he played semi-pro baseball. Joe attended Delta State College, University of MS. undergraduate in PreMed where he was a member of the SAE fraternity and a member of Phi Chi. He attended Millsaps College and then attended the University of Mississippi Medical School and received his medical degree. He went on to graduate from Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago in 1956 and interned at Baronness Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. Joe returned to MS. and practiced medicine as a GP in Lexington, before returning to Chicago for a residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern VA Research Hospital. In 1961 he returned to the University of MS. Medical Center for a Cardiovascular Research Fellowship. Joe attended Tulane University School of Medicine -Psychiatry from 1962-1965. While at Tulane, Joe and his brother Bill were passionate about their golf games battling heat, humidity and mosquitos to play on Saturday mornings. Following his training in Psychiatry at Tulane, Joe began his private practice in Jackson MS. From 1965-1969 he was a professor of psychiatry at MS. University Medical Center. Joe was in private practice until moving to Asheville NC. in 1985 and continued his practice until retirement in 2011. Joe was passionate about music, lead many choirs, was a member of the Land of Sky Barbershop Quartet, played several instruments including piano, trumpet and his cherished ukulele. He continued to play golf and tennis, winning the doubles club championship several days before developing severe rheumatoid arthritis. Later when he was unable to participate in his beloved physical activities, Joe continued as an avid sports fan. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church for many years, where he sang in the choir, served on the vestry and served on many committees. In his later years, Joe was passionately researching and beginning his book, which focused on the neuronal structures in the brain called dendrites and their connection to emotional and psychological development. Joe was incredibly courageous, funny, fiercely independent, curious, loving, generous, interested in and up to date on everything going on in the world. He had a memory that defied belief. Although he suffered physically through the years, he enjoyed every day of his beautiful life until he left us. What a blessing. We celebrate him and grieve immensely for our loss. The family wants to thank our and Joe’s dear friend Reverend William G. Edwards; his personal physician Dr. Jodi Schwab, his orthopedic doctors: Dr. Paul Sanger and Dr. Tally Eddings, who continued to put him back together so he could keep going (and driving) and his great buddy and neighbor Claire Worth and all of his family and friends, present and deceased. The Memorial Service will be held in The Chapel of Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Ave. at 2 o’clock, Saturday August 6, 2016. A private graveside service will follow immediately in Riverside Cemetery. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice in honor of Dr. Joseph Edward Roberts.

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Dr. Joseph Edward Roberts

January 8, 1931 - July 23, 2016