Napoleon Bonaparte

Roberts, Jr.

Brother Napoleon Bonaparte Roberts, Jr., affectionately called Daddy Jr., was born to the union of the Late Deacon Napoleon Bonaparte Roberts, Sr. and Deaconess Retha Bell Nelson Roberts o n July 4, 1940, in McIntosh, Alabama. Born the second of eight children, Napoleon received critical acclaim in his role as the oldest of four sons.  Death sealed Brother Napoleon's lips on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

Brother Napoleon joined the St. Union Baptist Church at an early age.  After graduating from McIntosh Union High School, Napoleon left McIntosh, Alabama, to take a role as a soldier in the United States Army. He was a 1956 graduate of McIntosh High School and attended S. D. Bishop Junior College in Mobile, Alabama. He completed a tour with the United States Army in Oleon, France, where he played on the Army's basketball team.

He was united in Holy Matrimony to Sarah Williams Roberts of Mt. Vernon, Alabama, and to this union, three sons were born—Stephen Lamar Roberts, Wilfred Cortez Roberts, and Reginald Ulysses Roberts.

Brother Napoleon was blessed with five more children: Tasha Reed, Catherine Retha Roberts, Napoleon Roberts, III, Jacques Roberts, and Logan Roberts.

Brother Napoleon was employed by Greer's Distribution Center in Mobile, Alabama, and Brookley Field in Mobile, Alabama. He retired from Ciba-Geigy (Now BASF) in McIntosh, Alabama, after 35 years. Within his tenure at Ciba-Geigy, he was the first black union President for Local Workers Union, and to this date, he is the only African-American male to hold this position.  He loved to watch basketball, especially the varsity teams at McIntosh High School.  He saw the need to enhance the students' experiences and networking capabilities, so he was one of the founding members of the McIntosh High School Alumni Association, where served as the association's inaugural Vice-President.  In the political realm, he was politically active in the Washington County Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC) and the Alabama New South Coalition.

As a retiree, Brother Roberts kept himself busy.  He introduced his nieces and nephews to the college life by inviting them to tailgate at the annual Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama.  Daddy Jr. was known to travel as far as Miami, Florida, to attend graduations, weddings, and any other event to support his family.

Outside of his family and work, Brother Napoleon had several hobbies.  He was a collector of numerous things from sports memorabilia to church programs. Brother Napoleon loved nature as a child and was an avid bird watcher.  This love of nature fueled his desire to keep the Roberts' settlement in top-notch shape by engineering and up-keeping the family's resort.  He was the lead architecture in constructing the family's ponds and pier.  He followed through on his design and even served as the neighborhood's landscaper by cutting the grass for eight households bi-monthly at no charge.  His only request was others respect and admire the wildlife the land produced.  He strongly discouraged killing any animal on the settlement.  Daddy Jr. was infamous to his family through his service.  He would do a favor for anyone at anytime for any reason.

Brother Roberts was preceded in death by his parents—Napoleon and Retha B. Roberts; two sisters—Deloris Roberts Horn and Rosetta Roberts Tillman; and one brother—James Edward Roberts.

Brother Roberts leaves to cherish his memory five sons—Stephen Lamar Roberts of McIntosh, Alabama, Wilfred Cortez Roberts of Mount Vernon, Alabama, Reginald Ulysses Roberts of Detroit, Michigan, Napoleon Bonaparte Roberts, III, of McIntosh, Alabama, and Logan Roberts of Mobile, Alabama; three daughters—Tasha Reed of Pensacola, Florida, Catherine Retha Roberts of Chickasaw, Alabama, and Jacques Roberts of McIntosh, Alabama; one special friend—Shirley Andrews of Prichard, Alabama; two sisters—Rubye Roberts Nelson and Daisy Mae Roberts (Henry) Simmons both of McIntosh, Alabama; three brothers—Freddie (Erma Lee) Bettis of Malcolm, Alabama, Warren Eugene (Dorothy) Roberts of McIntosh, Alabama,  and Otis Augusta (Barbara) Roberts of Malcolm, Alabama; one aunt—Audrey Nelson of Jackson, Mississippi; one uncle—Joe S. Fields of Sunflower, Alabama; eighteen grandchildren—Stephen Westry, Kenya Westry, Aladrian Pugh, Lillie Reed, Shadaris Reed, Jabaris Cortez English, Reginald Roberts, Jr., Aaron Grey, T´Anna Grey, Asia Grey, ReAnn Luckett, Rihanna Luckett, Jaden Palms, Jalen Palms, Jakarl Moorer, Malaysia Roberts, Ja´Byrius Pressley, and Ja´Quevion Pressley,; sixteen great-grandchildren; fourteen nephews; eleven nieces—two devoted—Alicia Simmons Ferrell, Ed.D. of McIntosh, Alabama,  and Zanetta Simmons-Ervin, Ph.D. of Anne Manie, Alabama; two devoted friends—Joe Abston and William Hill, Jr.; and a host of other cousins, relatives, and friends.