Steven Earl Roberts, Sr.

Steven Roberts, Sr. Obituary Funeral of: Steven Earl Roberts, Sr. (Dec 07,1945 - March 14, 2022) A celebration of a life well lived. Steven Earl Roberts entered the world December 7th, 1945 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was son to the late Lewis and Rosa Roberts. Steve was an only son, and big brother of 3 sisters (Poor thing, smile). In Steve’s youth he was a Cub Scout and paper carrier. Steve loved sports and hung out at the playground playing basketball on Saturdays and watching football on Sundays. He had a large collection of comic books, 45s and LP records. He also enjoyed playing Monopoly and other board games with his sisters. Steve was in the top 10% of his 1964 graduating class from John Adams High School. After High School he joined the United States Air Force (17th Security Police Squadron, SAC). After receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1971, Steve attended Cuyahoga Community College, where he earned an Associate of Arts Degree. He later attended Dyke College and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business in 1978. Steve married Ella Mae Williams (Ruderson) in 1966 and out of that union came Steve and Eric Roberts (Butler-Roberts). Steve married his long-time partner and friend Joan Freeman in 1984. Steve loved playing softball and played for years through the Cleveland Postal Service League. He was also an excellent bowler and participated in several leagues throughout the city. He loved to travel and was able to take a long-desired trip to Africa. Steve always tried to instill in his children the importance of staying true to themselves to be successful in life. He loved spending time with his sons, encouraging them with their education, music, and sports endeavors. He was proud of his children and grandchildren, and always bragged about them to anyone who would listen. Steve worked for the United States Postal Service for 35 years before retiring. After retiring, he relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida and continued enjoying and living the life he served his country and worked for. He enjoyed reading, listening to his R&B LPs, and watching sports (football on Sundays!). Everyone that knew Steve will have their own personal reason to miss him. His smile, his laugh, the joke that goes over his head, and his colorful vocabulary. He was called home on March 14, 2022 Proceeding him in death: his youngest sister Paula J. Hood. Those left to cherish his memory: His sons, Steven E. Roberts, JR., Eric Butler-Roberts (Nina); Grandchildren; Alec, Evan & Janel. His sisters; Dianna Roberts (Kenneth), Nanette Burks (Harold). Aunt; Gladys Jackson of Indianapolis, Indiana, Uncle; Ulysses Wilson of Cleveland, Ohio, Aunt; Dorothy Wilson of Cleveland Hts. Ohio, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, extended family, and a few jive turkeys (smile). I smile because you’re my brother, I laugh because there’s nothing you can do about it! Love, Nanette Big Brother Steve, We spent our early years going to the A&P on E.140th and Kinsman for Mom & Grandma every day. Being the only male, you had the advantage of your own room. Well, that was an opportunity for your sisters to invade your privacy whenever we could get away with it. Now the teen years were fun. You got a record player. I got to practice dancing with you and your friends. Then add in my friends and your friends, we did a lot of practicing. This is when you became the ‘Cool’ Older Brother. You wore your Banlon shirts and skinny pants, looking good when you went out. Made a sister proud. You had to walk me home from all the house parties. I can still see that look on your face when I interfered with your weekend partying. We had to do it that way or neither of us went out. Grown up with kids, I always had fun with you. You always were the favorite uncle (because the nieces and nephews and their friends could do whatever they wanted with you). But I loved that you always made time for them. I loved to party, and you did too. I have got to say, you were a great big brother. Generous and loving. A good sport (the 3 of us pranked you all the time). Thank you, brother dear, for never changing over the years. It’s so hard to let you go. Love, Dianna POEM I’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I’m following the path God has laid you see. I took his hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of the day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too will miss Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee God wanted me now; He set me free. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Steven Earl Roberts, Sr., please visit our floral store. Read More

Steven Earl Roberts, Sr.

December 7, 1945 - March 14, 2022