Bishop Joseph U. Roberts, Jr., age, 90, of Hollywood Dr., Spencer, NC passed Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the W. G. "Bill" Hefner V. A. Medical Center, Salisbury. Bishop Roberts was born September 1, 1925 in Blacksburg, SC to the late Joseph U. , and Mabell McCluney Roberts, Sr.. He was educated in Shelby Public School System and graduated from Teamer High School in Charlotte, North Carolina and attended the School of Religion in Charlotte, NC in 1964, where he earned a Bachelor of Theology Degree. He also holds certificates in Religion from the American Bible College of Chicago, Ill, and the Standard Publishing Company of Cincinnati, Oh. On October 18, 1949, he married the former Celestine Mitchell, who is now deceased. They were married 62 years. They are the proud parents of two children, the late Dallas U. Roberts, Sr., and the Rev. Diane Roberts; Larry Sturdivant (Gloria) reared in the home, East Spencer, NC and one grandchild., Dallas U. Roberts, Jr.; sisters: Helen Roberts, New York, Evelyn Roberts, Charlotte, NC, Gladys Feamster, Henderson, NC and Margaret Misenhemier, Raleigh.  He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Mahilda Roberts, Spencer, NC and a brother-in-law, Calvin (Edna) Mitchell of Salisbury, 
Larry Sturdivant (Gloria) reared in the home, East Spencer, NC, sisters; Helen Roberts, New York, Evelyn Roberts, Charlotte, NC, Gladys Feamster, Henderson, NC and Margaret Misenhemier, Raleigh, NC, god-daughters; co-pastor Sheila Mills ( Pastor Nasby Mills), Salisbury, NC, and co-pastor, Sherry Bennett (Pastor Jefferson Bennett).

He was last employed at Cannon Mills as a Hyster Operator and also worked with the railroad. Bishop Roberts was a World War II Army Veteran and served in Germany.

Bishop Roberts joined Mount Calvary Holy Church, Salisbury, NC in 1953, then pastored by the late Elder William Livingston and was called into the ministry in 1953 and ordained in Washington, DC by Bishop Brumfield Johnson in 1960. He became assistant pastor of the Salisbury Church in 1960. He served also at a mission in Lancaster, South Carolina for 2 years under the leadership of the late State Mother Beulah Lee. Bishop Robert's pastoral appointments include: High Point, NC; 1963-1968; Salisbury, NC 1968-1972 and Greensboro, NC 1969-2006. In July 1968 by acclamation of Bishop Brumfield Johnson and approval of the Board of Presbytery and Bishops, he was elevated to the office of Assistant State Overseer of North Carolina. He served faithfully with Bishop Frizelle Yelverton for 21 years. In July 0f 1969, Bishop Brumfield Johnson consecrated Bishop Roberts as Bishop. He served Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America, Inc., in the following positions: North Carolina Western District Union President, Assistant National Elder and National Elder. Bishop Roberts served the Greensboro Church faithfully for 37 years. For 10 years, he broadcasted on WEAL Radio in Greensboro, NC. Bishop Roberts was elevated in 1991 to Jurisdictional Bishop of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Staten Island, NY, serving 11 years.

Funeral service will be held on, Thursday, October 22, 2015 at Gethsemane Baptist Church, at 1:00. Visitation: 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Arch Bishop Alfred A. Owens eulogist. Bishop Harvey Rice, officiating. Burial will be held on, Friday, October 23, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the U. S. National Cemetery, on Statesville Blvd. 

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