Dr. James Deotis Roberts Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dr. James Deotis Roberts peacefully entered into eternal rest at age 95 on July 22, 2022 at home in Maryland. He was born on July 12, 1927 in Spindale, NC to J.C. and Edith Roberts, and grew up with two sisters, Beulina and Jessie Mae. He married Elizabeth Caldwell Roberts in 1953 in Landis, NC. Their everlasting union of 66 years continued until her transition in July 2019. Dr. Roberts is internationally recognized as a leader of black theology. As a scholar, professor, lecturer and researcher, he traveled throughout the United States, Africa, Asia, India, Europe, South America, the Caribbean and Australia. As the author of 18 books, his works have had a major impact in the academic arena. He received his PhD in Philosophical Theology in 1957 from the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Roberts taught at Howard University for more than 20 years and was president of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta from 1980 to 1983. He was a Distinguished Professor at the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Seminary) in Philadelphia. He taught at numerous universities including Harvard, Yale and the International Baptist Seminary in Argentina. He retired as Research Professor of Theology from Duke Divinity School in 2001. He is a 76-year member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Survivors include three daughters, Edin Charmaine Roberts Parker of Clinton, MD, Carlita Roberts Marsh (David) of Washington, DC, and Kristina Roberts of Atlanta; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews. His son, Deotis, and granddaughter, Jewell Elizabeth, preceded him in transition.

Dr. James Deotis Roberts

July 12, 1927 - July 22, 2022