Darvell Roberts

Darvell "Doc" Roberts, 77, of Mize, MS and formerly of Pryor, OK passed away on Sunday December 9, 2012 in Jackson, Mississippi after a courageous struggle with multiple cancers. Darvell was born May 11, 1935 in Pumpkin Center, Mississippi, the son of Johnny and Lola Roberts. They moved the family to a 104 acre farm near Mize, MS where Darvell would spend much of his childhood. He was baptized at Harmony Baptist Church and graduated from Mize High School in 1953. He was originally employed by C.R. Anthony and Co. Clothiers in Mississippi and had accepted an assistant manager's job in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he would meet his future wife of 43 years, Alice Joy Myers. They would marry in Miami, Oklahoma on November 25, 1961. He later became a supervisor in the oil and energy exploration field at Unit and Rig Equipment and Seismographic Service Inc. He later worked for and retired from Vogue/Featherlite Coaches in Pryor, Oklahoma as head of security. Darvell dutifully cared for his wife Joy until her death in 2004. Although his Oklahoma family would greatly miss him, they all knew he spiritually longed for his childhood home, the farm in Mize, Mississippi. He permanently moved there in 2007. Darvell remained a diehard Oklahoma Sooners Fan and also cheered his pro favorites, the Miami Dolphins, the New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Lakers on. Like most boys of his generation, he grew up loving western movies and his heroes, Lash Larue "King of the Bullwhip", John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Musically Darvell enjoyed classic country greats such as George Jones, Hank Williams Sr. and Merle Haggard. Darvell loved playing with his little grand and great grandchildren and his favorite canine companions, Inky, Bo Lucky. Darvell enjoyed the rigors of farm work and was locally famous for growing the best tasting tomatoes around Mize or Pryor. The "Tomato Whisperer" was the envy of many. There was always something very special to Darvell about his farm and the Mize community. His face and personality would light up as soon as he arrived. Many of Darvell's childhood friends had returned home to roost. His golden years were high times, running around with and sometimes just jawing with good friends from Mize to Jackson, but he really enjoyed spending time at the Mize Nutrition Site. Blessed wit6h his mother's wry wit and a natural ornery nature, Darvell was a favorite and the life of the party. His good friends at the Mize Nutrition Site were so touched by Darvell, they will be graciously sponsoring a memorial celebration of life for him at their nutrition site near the four way stop in Mize on December 12, 2012. Memorial may be made to the Mize Nutrition Site in his memory. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., on Friday, December 14, 2012 in the Shipman's Funeral Chapel in Pryor, Oklahoma with Becky Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Graham Memorial Cemetery with Jeff Thompson, Justin Weaver, Joe Garcia, Shannon Gower, Joe Todd Victor Sabharwall serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers are Ashley Thompson and Bethany Roberts. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday evening. Memorials may be made to the Mayes County Cancer Support Unit in his memory. To leave a personal message to his family, please see his web memorial at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral Cremation Service. Darvell is survived by his daughter, Darla and husband, Jeff Thompson of Pryor, OK; his son, Terry Roberts and wife, Sue of Chouteau, OK; two sisters, Naomi Donahoe of Bossier city, La and Bobbie Howell of Dahlonega, GA; three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Of special note, are also his brother-in-law and mentor, William V. Tanner and wife, Kathryn of Jackson, MS and step-daughter, Paula Garcia and husband, Joe, and family of Salina, OK; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Joy Roberts; his parents, Johnny and Lola Roberts; brothers, Lamar and B.J. Roberts; sisters, Ann Astudillo, Wilma Tanner and Mary Roberts.

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