Claude Roberts

Cleston Claude Roberts, 85, passed away on January 6, 2011 surrounded by loved ones. He was born on February 1, 1925 in Alkol, WV. Claude was the third child of eight for William Ark and Elma Kline Vickers Roberts. He grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, which he still considered home. His large family consisted of four brothers and three sisters. Claude enjoyed sports and hunting in his youth and had a reputation for his excellent driving skills. A hard worker all his life, Claude took on various jobs including hauling lumber through treacherous mountain roads. He met his wife of 54 years, Anne Elizabeth Dolin, after he came to the hospital to give blood to a car accident victim - which turned out to be Anne. They were married on November 23, 1956. Claude relocated to Orlando, FL in 1963 with Anne and daughter Judith where he and several brothers opened service stations - one on Kaley & Orange Avenue and another on West Colonial Drive. Claude and Anne's second daughter Kathy was born in Orlando. He was most recently retired from National Car Rental. Through the years, Claude was content to devote himself to his family, home, and business, and vacations to his beloved West Virginia. He is survived by his wife Anne Roberts, his daughters Judith and Kathy Roberts, his brother Bennie Roberts, all of Orlando, and his sister Gracelene Drennen of WV. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Betty Hogan, Jo Roberts and Wanda Roberts of Orlando; Jean Fulton, Jenny Harless, Sue Roberts, and Madeline Roberts of WV; Brenda Smith of Georgia; Dottie States of FL, bothers-in-law Cecil Drennen, Barry Fulton, and Doug Harless of WV and Lewie States of Florida, in addition to several nieces, nephews, and cousins.