Richard Earl Roberts, 82 when to his heavenly home on June 22, 2008 after a long a brave struggle with several illnesses. Earl was born May 9, 1926 and lived his entire life in the Orange Grove Community of Jackson County. He retired in 1985 as a Supervisor at International Paper Company in Moss Point after 43 years of service. He was a proud veteran of World War II in which he served aboard the USS New York BB34 Battleship. He saw action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Earl is preceded in death by his parents Nollie and Vera Hill Roberts; his first wife and mother of his children, Loyce Strength Roberts; a daughter Judy Roberts Brewster (Ron); and sisters, Infant Alice Irene Roberts and Vera Jean Roberts Jones (Marvin). He is survived by his wife, Nan Ditsworth Roberts of Orange Grove; son Terry Roberts (Carole) of Grand Bay, AL; grandchildren Jennifer Roberts, Michael Medders, Wayne Brewster, Jeremy Brewster, Loyce Brewster; and great grandson Terry S. Roberts; one brother Raymond Roberts (Charlotte) of Greenville, MS; and one sister Eileen Roberts Tanguay (Dave) of Pascagoula, MS. He will also be greatly missed by numerous nieces and nephews, a very large extended family, his faithful puppy, Miss Daisy and many, many friends. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 25th from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Thursday from Holder-Wells Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Morley Mason and Rev Edward Gilstrap officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to service time. Earl will be laid to rest in Orange Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jennifer Roberts, Michael Medders, Gus Summerour, Wayne Ditsworth, Alfred Cook and Dale Ditsworth. Honorary pallbearers will be his shipmates from the USS New York, all of whom were honored guests at the March 1, 2008 christening of the new USS New York LPD-21 built by Northorp Grumman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gideon Society or to your preferred charity or church in Earl's memory.