Rev. George A. Roberts

Asheville - Rev. George Alonzo Roberts, 88, of Asheville, went to be with his Lord August 16, 2006 at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals following a long illness. A native of Buncombe County, he had resided in Henderson County for 38 years prior to returning to Buncombe County in 1984. He was an Ordained Minister and a member of West Asheville Baptist Church. Rev. Roberts attended Asheville City Schools, graduated from Greenville Academy and Junior College and the Seminary Extension Department of the Southern Baptist Convention. Rev. Roberts pastored Gashes Creek Baptist Church for 2 years and in April of 1945 he began pastoring at Refuge Baptist Church in Henderson Co. where he stayed for 38 years, retiring in May of 1983. He was the son of the late Lonnie and Addie Banks Roberts. Surviving are his wife, Mary Mitchell Roberts, of the home; step-children: Judy Mitchell Cogburn and husband Rick of Asheville, and David Mitchell and wife Cathy of Easley, SC; step-grandchildren: Benjamin and Frank Mitchell of Easley and Dane Gant of Asheville; nieces: Pat Edwards and husband Roger of Asheville, and Shirley Mays of Hendersonville; and several grand-nephews, including Dale Edwards and wife Romana of Fairview. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Saturday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. John T. Tiller officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM Saturday at the funeral home and at other times at the residence. Memorial donations may be made to West Asheville Baptist Church, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.