Daniel (Sonny) Merritt Roberts III

Sonny Roberts passed peacefully to be with the Lord, surrounded by his family, on July 9th, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents Daniel M. Roberts Jr. and Louise Jackson Roberts, his sister Sandra Louise Roberts, and his niece Kimberly Adams Retzer.

A native of New Bern, he was born on November 16th, 1943. He grew up on the Trent River and loved fishing, crabbing and water skiing in the local ski shows, and hanging out at the Trent Pines Club. He met his best friend and partner for life, Tay, in the 7th grade at Central School in downtown New Bern. They continued dating throughout high school and college until they married on June 4th, 1966.

Sonny always had a love for his country, those who serve her, and his community. He served in the Army Reserve for nine years and he was active with the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission and Allies for Cherry Point’s Tomorrow. Sonny enjoyed serving on the board of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Carolina Classic Golf Tournament where they raised money to send military children to college. In 2021, they gave a scholarship in his name. He was also appointed to the Governor’s North Carolina Advisory Commission on Military Affairs. In 2010, he was an integral part of standing up the Military Growth Task Force on behalf of North Carolina’s Eastern Region and the state’s Office of Economic Development. He was a charter member of the Craven County Tourism Development Authority.

New Bern and its surrounding communities were dear to Sonny. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps who was a charter member of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Sonny also served on the chamber board and as its chairman. He also served as chairman of the Havelock Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Sonny received several awards for his service including the Key to the City of Havelock, the Superior Public Service Award from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Service Award from the North Carolina General Assembly.

Sonny is survived by his wife of 58 years, Octavia (Tay) Ashford Roberts, his children, Daniel (Dan) M. Roberts IV and his wife Kathryn, Ashley R. Carpenter and her husband Gerald (Buddy), and his grandkids D. Merritt Roberts V, Matthew B. Roberts, Octavia (Tayleigh) L. Carpenter, Caroline J. Carpenter, Gerald (Jerry) W. Carpenter III, and several nieces and nephews and their families. Sonny (Papa) was loved greatly by his family and will be forever in the hearts of many.

A memorial service for Daniel (Sonny) will be held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Garber Methodist Church.

Daniel (Sonny) will be laid to rest in New Bern Memorial.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 or to Garber Church, 4201 Country Club Road, New Bern, NC, 28562.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Roberts family.