O. N. Roberts

Orbra Norris Roberts was born to William Franklin and Sarah Ethel Roberts on August 1, 1923 and departed this life on the morning of March 14, 2010.
He was born in Tuckerman and grew up near Jacksonport, Arkansas, and moved to Bay, Arkansas with his family in 1939. The move was made with team and wagon before good roads and highways were built. The Roberts family loaded their belongings and a few prized possessions onto a wagon with the family cow tied on behind. The journey to their new home required three days travel over very poor dirt roads and trails. They prepared their meals as they journeyed and bedding down beside the road wherever night found them.
During the 1940s, like most young men of the time, he answered the call to service during World War II. Orbra served with Naval Air in the Pacific and returned home to Bay after the war. On May 26, 1946, he married Miss Evalyn Stone and they began a next phase of his life.
His flight experience helped him land a job as a flight engineer with Eastern Airlines. In 1960, Eastern discontinued the use of flight engineers and the Roberts family moved back to Craighead County, Arkansas where they farmed and raised their family. At retirement, he and Evalyn moved to Bay to a house across the street from the United Methodist Church where they attended.
Orbra accomplished many things during his lifetime including attaining the 32nd Degree in the Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge # 129 in Jonesboro.
Orbra was a dedicated and loyal husband and father working hard to take care of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. Surviving him are a brother living in Florida, his wife, Evalyn of the home, three daughters, Mrs. Carrol Greer of Halls, Tennessee, Mrs. Jan Morrison of Belleview, Nebraska and Mrs. Debra Hinds of Humboldt, Tennessee. He is also survived by one son, Mr. Gary Norris Roberts of Jonesboro, 12 Grandchildren, 21 Great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Visitation will be at Bay United Methodist Church in Bay, Arkansas on Wednesday March 17 from 5:00 to7:00 pm.
Funeral services will be held Thursday 18 March at the Bay United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm. With Reverend Angie Gage officiating. Burial to follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park with Emerson Funeral Home in Charge. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.