B. Joe Roberts

WEAVERVILLE—B. Joe Roberts, age 85, of Long's Chapel Road, died Thursday, May 26, 2011. Mr. Roberts was born May 26, 1926, in Buncombe County where he lived most of his life. Mr. Roberts retired as a welder with Rheems Manufacturing Co. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Navy for 20 years; he was assigned to the USS Strong and USS Iowa. Joe was a member of VFW Post 891 and the Fleet Reserve. He was a member of Long's Chapel Baptist Church. He was a son of the late George and Lena Brooks Roberts. Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Johnnie Rector Roberts; stepdaughters, Diane Hollifield who lovingly took care of all of his needs and Judy Alexander, both of Weaverville; daughters, Jo Ann Shaw and Ruby Nell Ricket, both of Belton, S.C.; sons, Arthur Wesley Cox of Honea Path, S.C., and David Neil Roberts of Belton, S.C.; sisters, Minnie Rice and Barbara Bradley, both of Weaverville, and Annie Olmstead of Tryon; brother, John Roberts of Weaverville; and several grand children and great grandchildren. His funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM, Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Revs. Troy Rogers and Clarence Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Long's Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Memorial Team. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Flowers are appreciated. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com