Services for Mr. J.W. Roberts, 78, of Natchez, who died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, at his residence, will be 1 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel with Brother Mike Harrigill and Brother Harry Johnson officiating.

Burial will follow at Arlington Baptist Church Cemetery in Lincoln County under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Roberts was born Oct. 24, 1928, in Summit, the son of Bonnie Lee Roberts and Maggie Moore Roberts.

Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Faye Roberts; three sons, Roy Lee Ray, Jerry Roberts and Joseph Roberts; and granddaughter, Melissa Faye Ray.

Survivors include three sons, Phillip Ray and his wife, Lynn of Natchez, Randy Roberts and his wife, Era, of Vidalia and Glenn Roberts and his wife, Sue ,of Summit; one daughter, Candace Pepper and her husband, Raymond, of Summit; grandchildren, Kristi and Skylar Simmons, Kimberly Ray, Carl Adrena Faye, Bessie Ray and Roy Ray Jr., Courtney Roberts Fanning, Anna Morgan, Tapper Hendricks, Katrina and Paul Trospar, Chris, Christine Roberts, Vanessa and Floyd Kemp, Ember and Mark Sellers and Stephen and Miranda Pepper; great-grandchildren, Colette Nicole Simmons, Anna Marie Roberts, Emily, Nathan, Jeffery and Joey Kemp, Ada Morgan, Caitlyn and Claire Hendricks; one brother, Donald Roberts and his wife, Joyce, of Natchez; one sister, Billie Sue Wells and her husband, James, of Greenwell Springs, La.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Pepper, Tommy Roberts, David Roberts, Lloyd Wells, Jerry Young and Chris Roberts.