John Herbert Roberts

John Herbert (Herb) Roberts of Woodville was born on August 28,1934 in Dellwood, Florida. In 1939, he and his family moved eastward and settled in the bustling city of Sopchoppy, Florida. Herb graduated from Sopchoppy High School in 1953 and was a proud yellow jacket. He always sported a bright yellow Sopchoppy High tag on the front of his vehicle, making him easy to spot passing on the highways. After high school, Herb enlisted in the Navy where he served for four years. He was stationed in San Diego, CA and served on the USS Ajax. That ship serviced United States warships between the United States mainland, Hawaii, and Japan. Upon the completion of his military career, he returned home to Sopchoppy and soon began to court his sweetheart, Miss Laural Annette Anderson. It wasn't long before they were married. They had a beautiful marriage, 63 loving years led to 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Professionally, Herb had a notable career in the fire service with the Tallahassee Fire Department (TFD). He served 32 years and retired at the rank of Deputy Chief of Operations. As secondary careers while working at TFD, he worked as an electrician and maintenance supervisor at Sears and Roebuck. After retiring from TFD, Herb worked for Ten-8 Fire Apparatus selling fire trucks and equipment. “Papa” as all his grand and great-grandchildren called him will be fondly remembered for teaching them all to drive tractors, taking them fishing, and instilling the necessity of having something sweet after dinner. He loved his family dearly, and he loved The Lord. He was a long-time member, Sunday school teacher, and deacon of Woodville First Baptist Church. Herb is preceded in death by his wife, Annette Roberts, his mother, Mary Roberts, father, John Roberts, his siblings, Ruby Roberts, Veree Roberts, Guy Hudson, Andy Roberts, Wayne Roberts, and Mabel Ross. He is survived by his 3 children, David Roberts (wife Marion), Debra Griffin (husband Ken), Dennis Roberts (wife Lynn), his grandchildren Joshua Humphries (wife Melissa), Joseph Humphries (wife Brandy), Lee Griffin, Kristen Griffin, Sarah Kilpatrick (husband Jacob) and Ashley Sellars (husband Garon), his 11 great-grandchildren, Asher, Autumn, Avery, Blainde, Charlie Kate, Colton, Fisher, Jamie, Lauren, Logan, Luke, his two brothers, Walter Roberts (wife Beverly), Tom Roberts (wife Donna), and a host of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 am at the First Baptist of Woodville and the Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the West Sopchoppy Cemetery. Skip & Trey Young along with Paula and Kimberly are caring for the family.

John Herbert Roberts

August 28, 1934 - March 27, 2025