Frank Roberts

Mr. Roberts, 85, of Charlotte, NC, formerly of Raleigh, NC passed away on August 20, 2011 at Sharon Towers in Charlotte. He was born on January 2, 1926 in Raleigh, a son of the late John M. and Frances LeHew Roberts; and husband to his beloved wife, the late Margaret Roberts.

Frank spent his early years in Goldsboro, NC. Upon graduation from Goldsboro High School, he enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard the USS Lavaka in the Pacific through World War II. Upon his return to the States, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. However, his desire to marry his first grade sweetheart, Margaret Holt, led to his return to Goldsboro where they were married on July 5, 1946.

Mr. Roberts began a career at Southern Bell and quickly rose up the corporate ladder leading to his transfer to Raleigh, NC where he would remain until 1973. He was then transferred to Charlotte where he retired in 1980 as one of the top Executives in North Carolina.

During the years he resided in Raleigh, Mr. Roberts was active in community affairs donating his time and serving on Boards of various organizations and charities. He served as President of the Raleigh Sales and Marketing Club in 1964. Mr. Roberts was a member of the Heritage Club at the Raleigh YMCA as well as the Campaign Chairman in 1971. In 1967 he was asked to travel abroad to Europe to recruit businesses to North Carolina with the International Trade and Reverse Investment Program. He proudly served as the United Way of Wake County Campaign Chairman in 1972. After his transfer to Charlotte, his ties to Raleigh continued as he served on the Board of Associates at Meredith College from 1976-1978. Mr. Roberts was also a member of the Delta Dental Board for many years.

Frank was a member of the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh for almost fifty years. He was a member of Myer’s Park Country Club in Charlotte for almost forty years until his health began to decline. He enjoyed getting away to his second home at Ocean Isle Beach, NC where he served as President of his Homeowner’s Association for many years.

Sports played a large part of his life whether he was participating or watching from the sidelines. One of his fondest moments was watching his son, the starting catcher for his Little League baseball team, win the Raleigh City Championship. He was a self taught tennis player and enjoyed the game for years. Later in life, he would take up the game of golf but he admittedly was not as gifted a golfer as he was a tennis player. Mr. Roberts was an avid fan of N. C. State athletics. He was a member of the Wolfpack Club and a season football ticket holder for almost forty years. Very few people could beat him in a hand of Gin Rummy. He took his Myer’s Park Gin Rummy Championship experience with him to Sharon Towers where he would play a hand or two with the nurses on Staff.

Family was at the center of his life and he was the center of his family. His children never doubted his love or devotion but his true treasures were his grandchildren. The G-DAD license plate on the back of his car served as testament. The joy in his face and the love in his voice at the sight of his family will long be remembered.

Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his parents John and Frances Roberts, his brother John M. Roberts, Jr. and wife Margaret Holt Roberts as well as a special friend Judith Geissinger.

Surviving are his daughter Patricia Roberts Canady of Clemmons and his son Frank L. Roberts and wife Cathy of Charlotte; grandchildren, Holt Roberts and wife Amanda of Sheridan, WY, Sean Roberts of Charlotte; Drew, Sarah and Jenna Canady of Clemmons; and great-grandchild Jack Roberts, as well as his niece and three nephews.

Special thanks to the staff of Sharon Towers who provided him with care for the last two years.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at Harry & Bryant Company, “Chapel in the Oaks”, 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 25th at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215 ; Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer, Camp Annual Fund, 218 Sea Gull Landing, Arapahoe, NC 28510; Sharon Towers, 5100 Sharon Rd. Charlotte, NC 28210 as well as the charity of the donor’s choice.