Mr. Tommy Roberts, 95, of Jayess, MS, passed from this life on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at his residence with his loving family by his side. He was born on September 1, 1927 in Jayess, MS, to Perry Roberts, Sr. and Era Mae Alexander Roberts.

He was well known for organizing gospel singings locally. He was born in a log house, the son of a sharecropper. At 17 he entered the Maritime Service and was drafted at 18, serving with the 24th Infantry Division. He was posted to Iwo Jima and then to Nagasaki a few months after the atomic bomb was dropped. After discharge he joined the National Guard- first the 172nd Air National Guard, then the 155thArmy National Guard in McComb, retiring as a sergeant with 20 years of military service. He went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad and retired as a carman 20 years later. He organized gospel music fundraisers for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as well as for the people with cancer and ARC of Southwest Mississippi.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his first wife, Norma Jean Roberts; his second wife Dorothy Roberts; one son, Ronnie L. Roberts; one daughter, Carol Ann Broom; four sisters, Laverne Dunaway White, Ladine Warbel, Loraine O'Quinn, and Deloris Hutson Mott; and three brothers, Perry Lee Roberts, JR., Franklin D. Roberts, and Cecil Roberts; one grandson, Thomas C. Roberts.

Survivors are one sister, Syble Ashley; one son-in-law, John Broom; five grandchildren, Angela Parker (Ben), Tommy Broom (Traci), Jason Broom (Nancy), Anthony Broom, and Jenny Roberts;  eight great grandchildren, Isabella Broom and fiancé Patrick Lehmann, Cole Parker, Mason Broom, Ashlyn Parker, Cohen Broom, Peyton Broom, Kristen Hale, and Natalie Broom; a special niece, Glenda Kay Friedrich; and a host of family and friends.

Pallbearers are Tommy Broom, Jason Broom, Anthony Broom, Mason Broom, Cole Parker, and Cohen Broom.

Honorary pallbearer is Benjamin Parker.

A visitation will be held Friday, June 16, 2023, at Bogue Chitto Baptist Church Carter's Creek in Jayess, MS,  beginning at 5PM until 8PM and will continue Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 1PM until time of service at 2PM. A graveside service will immediately follow at Enon Cemetery with Rev. Albert Wilkerson, Bro. Jimmie Houston, and Bro. Justin Morgan officiating and Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. .

The family requests memorials be made in his name to: The Gideons International, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7521 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Enhabit Hospice.