Sgt. John Bradley Roberts

There is no doubt that he was smiling and had pure joy in his heart as he was called to his heavenly home. John lived an extraordinary life of love and service, which mere words may never be able to convey. His life on Earth truly reflected a good and faithful servant, and he surely entered into the joy of the Lord after having fought a good fight, finished his course and kept the faith every step of the way. He was a dedicated son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, neighbor, friend, and servant. He was a man like no other.

John was born in Austin, Texas, to J.B. Roberts and Mattie Belle Mathews (Haley) on December 3, 1934.

In 1954, John felt led to join the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served our country until 1962 with the rank of Sargent, as an expert rifleman on the rifle team. John met and married the love of his life, Norma Jean on March 31, 1956, and later they became proud parents to Cathy Roberts (Hilliard) and James "Dixie" Roberts.

John chose to wear many hats as a career. Soldier, Reservist, Postal Worker, Security Guard, and Church Worker. His primary career was a source of amusement for this lifelong storyteller: working for the United States Postal Service. Asking "Would you like to buy some stamps?" to agitated customers...just to have the customer lose their train of thought, and change their attitude. He was also President Lyndon Baines Johnson's personal mail carrier. But John could never stay retired, so he later chose to be a security guard after his retirement from the post office.

What John was most proud of was his service to Woodlawn Baptist Church. He would cheerfully serve where God needed him. Just to name a few ways he served: He taught classes from elementary age to senior adults, served as Sunday School Superintendent, started Royal Ambassadors (RA's) 1st - 12th grade, and remained active at the association and state levels, choir, drove the church bus for all ages, home-bound and nursing home ministries, was involved with the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief Program, and was ordained as a Deacon in 1960. His service as a Deacon from 1960 until 2023 would earn him the title of Deacon Emeritus at his beloved church. John had a servant's heart like no other.

Just being around him for five minutes you could see and feel that John loved the Lord and loved people. John's favorite people called him Dad and Papa. Family meant a great deal to him.

John is survived by his daughter Cathy (Larry) Hilliard, son James "Dixie" Roberts (Jennifer); grandchildren Natalie (Scott) Ferrell, Gregory (Miranda) Roberts, Tanya Roberts, and James Bradley Roberts Jr.; great-grandson Kaden Ferrell; half-sister Gloria (Roberts) Briggs; and nephew Barry Briggs. John leaves behind many friends and loved ones to carry on his memory.

He is preceded in death by his parents, by his first wife Norma Jean, and by his second wife Norma Del.

Today, tomorrow, and forever, John will be missed at family gatherings, celebrations, game nights, church social and service functions, and in the everyday hustle and bustle of life. His astonishing light and legacy live on in the lives of those he touched.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memorium to the Woodlawn Baptist Church Building Fund (4600 Menchaca Rd, Austin, Texas 78745) or the Woodlawn Bus Wreck Memorial Scholarship.

As John returns back to his Lord and Savior, please keep the family in your prayers as they both mourn and celebrate the life and tremendous love he bestowed on them.