David Eugene "Gene" Roberts

David Eugene "Gene" Roberts, age 78, of Pine Bluff, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at the White Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Roberts was born Dec. 28, 1931, in Atlanta, Ga., a son of the late Clarance A. and Nell Joyner Roberts. Mr. Roberts moved to Pine Bluff at age three months with his family from Atlanta, Ga. He was reared and received his education in Pine Bluff and was a 1949 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. He also attended Drury College in Springfield, Mo., for two years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was a co-owner of Roberts Brothers Tire Service in Pine Bluff for 50 years, retiring in 1997, as Vice President. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Reed Roberts, whom he married Sept. 20, 1965, in Las Vegas, Nev., two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Lynn and Tal Taggart of Searcy and two grandchildren, Tiffany and Trace Taggart. Funeral services will be graveside in Graceland Cemetery Monday, Sept. 13, 2010, at 2 p.m. by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Rev. Lance Clemmons officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of Clarence Roberts III, 3612 Poplar Street, Pine Bluff, after the service. Memorial may take the form of contributions to First Presbyterian Church, 717 West 32nd Avenue, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603 or Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, 800 Marshall Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72203. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.