Don Hill Roberts

Don Hill Roberts secured his place in history as the person who rediscovered the rich history of the Roberts family in Kingston, Tennessee. His true legacy, however, is one of a soft-spoken man except when it came to sharing the Gospel. Don passed away June 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida, at the age of 88 after a full life devoted to family and God. A devout Christian, Don served as a lector at Clay Hill Baptist Church in the Maxville neighborhood of Jacksonville and hosted regular Bible studies in his home. Don was an auto body and fender expert by profession and passion. He was proud to own his own shop for many years in Jacksonville and loved rebuilding old vehicles. His pride and joy was his 1949 Ford F-1 Pickup that he spent almost 20 years restoring. Don also enjoyed gold panning and fishing, and his happy place was the 12.5-acre farm on which he enjoyed working until the final days of his life. Genealogy was one of Don’s favorite hobbies, and his diligent research led to the discovery of a long-forgotten Roberts Family Cemetery in Kingston, Tennessee, dating back to the 1700s. Ancestors buried in what had been an overgrown property include veterans of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Don’s refurbishment efforts eventually resulted in the Veterans Administration placing new military headstones on those graves, and he also located what is believed to be the first Roberts family grave in the area several miles away. Born November 2, 1935, to the late Hill and Opal Roberts, Don grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and graduated from that city’s Brainerd High School. He went on to serve four years in the United States Coast Guard, stationed in Groton, Connecticut. Don met his first wife, the former Yvonne Belisle, while he was serving, and their brief marriage resulted in a son, Mark. He then married the former Joe-Ann Roberson in 1963 and they added a daughter, Lynn, to the family. Don very much missed his Joe-Ann, who passed away in 2020. Don is survived by his children Mark S. (Lori) Roberts, of Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Lynn (Mark) Pierce of North Port, Florida; two grandsons, Dustin Roberts and Dale Holsenbeck; and one great-grandson, Bran Roberts. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Joe-Ann, and twin brother, Wayne. Friends may call on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service at Guerry Funeral Home in Macclenny, Florida. Burial will take place after services in Emmaus Cemetery, St. George, Georgia, where Don will lay next to his beloved Joe-Ann. Guerry Funeral Home, US 90 E., Macclenny, FL has been entrusted with the service arrangements. To leave condolences for the family please visit www.guerryfuneralhome.net In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Clay Hill Baptist Church.