Mourning Rev. Dr. Tom J. Roberts
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Rev. Dr. Tom J. Roberts. He was peacefully called to his heavenly reward at his on September 10, 2024. He was 96 years old.
Dr. T.J. Roberts was born in Nobletown, Oklahoma and was raised nearby in Seminole, Oklahoma where he attended high school. After graduation, he served in the United States army. He worked at Tinker Air Force Base, as a plumber, and as a real estate broker.
He married Deloria Vauncile Taylor and the two became parents to five children. This blissful union lasted 65 years, until her passing.
Dr. Roberts accepted Christ at an early age. In 1952, he received the call to ministry and was ordained in 1955. He became the pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He went on the pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church, Seminole, Oklahoma and New Zion Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1963 he established Evangelistic Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Highly educated, Dr. Roberts completed studies at Theology Johnson Memorial Bible Institute, 1962; Bachelor of Theology from United Theological Seminary, Monroe, Louisiana, 1966; Bachelor of Bible Studies from Oklahoma Christian College, 1972; Master of Arts in Religion from Southern Nazarene College, Bethany, Oklahoma, 1977; Divinity Degree, New World Bible Institute, Hayti, Missouri, 1979; and Summa Cum Laude graduate from Trinity Theological Seminary, Newbury, Indiana, in 1986.
He was a member of many civic organizations including Charter pastor of the Progressive Baptist State Convention, life member National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, board of directors at Saint Anthony Hospital, board member of President’s Council of Trinity Theological Seminary, and board member of One Church One Child of Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Jake Roberts and Martha Jackson-Roberts; wife, Deloria V. Taylor-Roberts; son, Marcus A. Roberts; and granddaughter, Jamika Roberts; sisters, Odessa Cudahy-Alford, Frankie M. Alford-Robinson, and Berdie M. Alford-Davis; and brothers, Edward L. Alford, Sr., Ellis Alford, and Wesley Alford.
Left cherishing his memory are his children, Deborah Roberts-Goodman, Tommie Roberts-Madison (William), Dorcas Roberts, and Joseph Timothy Roberts; sister, Merdine Black; brother Willie O. Alford (Jo Ann); grandchildren, Kiwanis Roberts (Andrea), Tori Goodman-VanDyke (Jermaine), and Nathaniel Goodman, Jr. (Jessica); great-grandchildren, Kiwanis Roberts, II, Ki’yana Roberts, Jasmine VanDyke, Kalencia Roberts, Kameron Roberts, Jace Jones and Jaxon Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held on at 11am on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Greater New Zion Baptist Church, 1005 N.E. 28th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73111. The internment immediately followed at Arlington Memory Gardens 3400 N Midwest Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73141.
The services can be viewed online at:
Rev. Dr. Tom J. Roberts is the son of George Alford & Bernice Noble-Alford; Grandson of Wesley Dow Alford (Emily) and Annie Cyrus-Gordon (Henry); Great-Grandson of Matthew Solomon Alford & Lucy Berry; and Great-Great-Grandson of Solomon & Lussie Alford.
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