Joe Roberts

Joe A. Roberts, 83, of Springdale, died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at his home. Joe was born February 8, 1927 in Springdale, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo and Ellen Whinnery Roberts, a brother, Jimmy Roberts and infant sister, Majorie Roberts. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Adella Roberts; a son Richard Allen Roberts and wife Lisa of St. Louis, Missouri; daughter Janie McGaugh and husband Ron of Springdale, and daughter Teresa Harrison and husband Billy of Springdale. The greatest joys of his life were his grandchildren, Kimberly McGaugh Brown and husband Jacob of Springdale, Charlie Roberts of St. Louis, and Branden Harrison of Springdale. He had a very precious great-granddaughter, Kennedy Jane Brown, of Springdale who brought great joy to his life for the past seven months. He was also survived by several nieces and nephews. Joe was respected and loved by many. He touched the lives of many former students. In his younger years he attended Boys' State and was an Eagle Scout. He was an adult leader at the World Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He served in the last eighteen months of World War II as a radar operator, U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. He was a life time member of the First United Methodist Church. He graduated from Springdale High School and received a B.S. ED., a MED, and a D.A.S. degree from the University of Arkansas. He was with the Springdale Schools for thirty-four years and the Fayetteville Schools for two years as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent. His professional organizations he participated in and held office in were the S.E.A., the A.E.A., the National Education Association, the Arkansas School Administrator's Association, the Arkansas Activities Association, National Council on Schoolhouse Construction, and was a lifetime member of the Parent Teachers Association. Community activities he actively participated in were the American Legion, the Springdale Museum Board, the Springdale Commission on Parks and Recreation, the Rodeo of the Ozarks, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the United Fund Board. Before being unable to do so, he was an avid fisherman and golfer and loved being in the great outdoors. In his latter years he was greatly honored by having the Track and Field Complex at Southwest Junior High named after him and he was also honored to be elected to the Springdale High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, July 26, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Judy VanHoose officiating and under the direction of Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Sisco Funeral Chapel. Pallbearers are Jack Dick, Johnny Farmer, Charlie Smith, Harold Harmon, Virgil Harmon, and David Harmon. Honorary pallbearers are Sonny Henson, John Lynn Fletcher, Bob Weiss, Walter Turnbow, Jim White, Jim Ritter, T.G. Smith, Norman Crowder, Paul Davis, and Carroll Harmon. Memorials may be made to the Lee Elementary School Ozark National Science Center Scholarship Fund, 400 Quandt St., Springdale, Arkansas 72764 or the Bread of Life % First United Methodist Church, 206 W. Johnson Avenue, Springdale, Arkansas 72764 Online condolences may be made to www.siscofuneral.com or www.facebook.com/siscofuneralchapel

Joe Roberts

February 8, 1927 - July 22, 2010