Murray Alton Roberts

Murray Alton Roberts, 85, passed away January 19, 2017 while in the hospital surrounded by his loving family.  Al was born August 10, 1931 in Newport News, VA to William Alton Roberts and Ama Bethel Hall.  He graduated from Newport News High School in 1948 where he was active in tennis and track.  After graduation he enrolled in the Newport News Apprentice School from 1948 to 1951 where he focused on drafting studies.

In 1951, near the beginning of the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he earned both the National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.  In 1955 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Soon afterwards he enrolled at The College of William and Mary and in 1958 graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

Within months of graduation Al joined the Humble Oil and Refining Company, Esso Standard, Eastern Region. During his successful career he worked in Norfolk, VA, Baltimore, MD and Charlotte, NC.  He served in numerous positions starting as a Dealer Salesman and progressing to executive roles in Operations, Engineering and Human Resources.  As his career progressed he earned several awards for excellence in sales.  At the time of his retirement, in 1986, he was the Southeast Area Operations Manager in Charlotte, NC.  After retiring from Exxon, he spent the next six years as an executive consultant for Kenan Transport in Chapel Hill, NC.

Soon after beginning his career he married the love of his life, Patrician Lee Verell.  They were married in 1958 at the Orcutt Avenue Baptist Church in Newport News, VA.   He and Pat raised two spirited boys, Mark and Dereck.  He was very proud of his family and the adults they became through his love, support and the Christian values he instilled in them. Throughout their marriage he and Pat were active tennis players and loved to travel to Daytona Beach and Siesta Key, FL as well as Garden City Beach, SC.  As a devout Christian, he and Pat actively gave of their tithes, time and talents to the River Hills Community Church, Lake Wylie, SC and The Journey, Lake Wylie, SC.  For 33 years he regularly attended bible study classes and volunteered at the Community Café of Lake Wylie, SC since its inception.

Al was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Ama Roberts.  He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Pat, sister Marian Goble of Charlotte, NC, sons Mark and wife Judy of Churchville, MD, Dereck and wife Mary Lynn of Cary, NC and his three grandchildren Morgan Roberts (daughter of Mark and Judy) and Will and Ben (sons of Dereck and Mary Lynn).  In addition he is survived by his Brother-In Law and Sister-In Law, David and Carol Soter of Greensboro, NC, their children Cyndi Soter O’Neil (niece) Raleigh, NC, Michael Soter (nephew) Chicago, IL and Stephanie Goble Wilson (niece) Mt. Pleasant, SC.

The Roberts family would like to thank the Carolina Medical Center, Pineville ICU staff, for their exceptional care and support during his care at the Center.  A celebration of Al’s life will be held on Saturday, January28th at The Journey, 5415 Highway 557, Lake Wylie, SC at 11:00 AM.  The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the fellowship hall of The Journey at Lake Wylie.  Burial will be held at a future date, to be determined, at the Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News, VA.

 Service Information