Tj Roberts

T.J. Roberts, the fifth out of 12 children was born to Lamon Roberts Sr. and Lula Mae Roberts, in Lanett. Alabama on January 4, 1941.

T.J. was all things athletics while attending at Lanier High School. He enjoyed football, basketball, baseball, and golf to name a few. This love for sports landed him to be named Mr. Gridiron amongst his classmates. He graduated in 1960 and had a chance to attend college but decided to move north to Toledo, OH to work with his uncle Nolan and attend the National Meat Cutting school where he graduated in 1962 as a Journeyman Meat Cutter.

T.J. later met Ura Roberts, and they would wed soon after on July 20, 1963. They were blessed with three children, Jovan Beria Roberts, born May 12, 1964, Andre DeRhode Roberts, born April 16, 1967, and Monique Anacleta Roberts, born January 31, 1971. As a father he would instill in his children the importance of working out, getting up early in the morning to start your day, having a good education, and most importantly having a relationship with God. T.J. had welcomed so many kids, into his home just like others did for him when he was young and became fatherless.

As a skilled butcher T.J. was well known and highly sought after. He worked for different Meat Packing houses and grocery store chains. T.J. worked 28 years in the Meat Industry until his accident.

Not giving into this setback, T.J. continued to persevere, living up to his nickname “Mr. Gridiron.” Although he was paralyzed for 32 years, he had a desire to walk again and made that his number one goal. T.J. with his great will faced and overcame many obstacles and challenges living as a quadriplegic. During his final challenge, he succumbed and unfortunately passed peacefully on November 16, 2022, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio at the age of 81.

Preceding T.J in death are his father Lamon Roberts Sr., brother Henry “aka Bubba” Lee Roberts, and sister Catherine Roberts-Truitt.

Surviving T.J are his wife, Ura Roberts, children Jovan “aka Gigi” Roberts, Andre Roberts, and Monique “aka Nikki” Johnson; his grandchildren Vanessa Martinez, Andre Roberts Jr., and Lauren Johnson; his great-grandchildren Brandon Lowery, Carmen Martinez, and Camilla Martinez; his mother Lula Mae Roberts; his sisters and brothers Felder “aka Lamon” Roberts (passed on November 17, 2022); George Roberts, Shirley Jackson, Alice Tatum, Rose Anne London, Richard Roberts, Josephine Turner, and James Roberts Sr.; and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.

Beating all odds, T.J is his family’s “Superman” and will be missed.

A Memorial Service for T.J. Roberts will be held on December 9, 2022 at 11 AM at The Church at North Lanier Avenue (North Lanier Avenue Church of Christ), 1009 N. Lanier Ave.Lanett, AL 36863. www.lanettcoc.com.

The Roberts family wishes to thank the Area Office of Aging, Regency Hospital, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, various doctors, home health agencies and a host of family and friends that have helped to support T.J. Those wishing to donate in lieu of flowers, are suggested to do so with the Boys and Girls Club on behalf of the Roberts family at https://bgca.org/ways-to-give?form=DonateSEM&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj4ecBhD3ARIsAM4Q_jG1xOrqXGzm9xzyExgXS7oezZbKBOAG9RGapl0mZqiY4IVkcRswuBcaAvaREALw_wcB.

If purchasing flowers through the Cremation Society of Toledo's link below, please select "Family Address" in the Deliver To box.