Joe D. Roberts

Joe D. Roberts, a veteran of the Army who spent many years employed by the South Shore Produce Company in Bridgehampton, died of cardiac arrest on Dec. 30 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Fla. He was 92 years old.

Mr. Roberts was born on Jan. 22, 1923, in Monticello, Fla., one of four children of the Rev. Joe D. Roberts and the former Maggie Ellis. He grew up and was educated there. He enlisted in the Army in 1943, eventually serving in Japan, and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Mr. Roberts and his wife, Mattie Pearl Roberts, whom he lovingly called Sally, were married for more than 50 years, having come to Bridgehampton to pursue employment. She died in 2004. Two of their five children, a daughter, Josephine Roberts, and a son, Charles Cherry, also died before him.

The couple moved to Fort Pierce, Fla., after Mr. Roberts retired in 1990. Last January, he moved to Winter Haven, Fla., to live with a cousin, Joyce Beales, who helped care for him.

His family said he was a soft-spoken man who had a strong belief in God. “He was a very generous, kind-hearted, and loving man who was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need,” according to the program used at his funeral service.

Mr. Roberts is survived by two children who live in Bridgehampton, James Cherry and Sandra Singleton. Ha also is survived by his son David Manning of Winter Haven, and by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, and nieces and nephews.

A service was held last Friday at the First Baptist Church in Southampton, with the Rev. Henry Faison Jr. officiating and the Rev. Michael Jackson offering a prayer. Mr. Roberts was buried as a veteran at Calverton National Cemetery.