Luther G. Roberts
1903-1979
Roberts_Luther_1942
". . . make known unto you, the beloved brother and
faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord." (Col. 4:
7.)
Luther G. Roberts was born February 28, 1903, in Henderson
County, Tenn. He was baptized into Christ by I. A. Douthitt
in 1915. He attended the National Teachers Normal and
Business College, now FreedHardeman College, from 1918 to
1923. In 1924 he was graduated fro m high school at David
Lipscomb College. His college work was done at
Freed-Hardeman College, Murray State Teachers College
(Kentucky), and Canyon, Texas. He received his B.S. degree
in 1930.
Brother Roberts received his Bible training under A. G.
Freed, N. B. Hardeman, and L. L. Brigance. He has been a
reader of the Gospel Advocate since childhood and has heard
many gospel preachers. He began preaching in 1927. His work
was first in West Tennessee and Western Kentucky. In 1930
he went to Texas, and has been preaching in that state to
the present time. He has done local work in Texas at Post,
Stephenville, San Angelo, and Amarillo. He remained at
Stephenville three years, two and a half years at San
Angelo, and has now been at Amarillo more than four years.
He has evangelized in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Mississippi,
Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Tennessee.
Gospel Advocate, April 9, 1942, 350
Luther G. Roberts 1903-1979
On the evening of December 21, the gentle spirit of the
amiable Luther G. Roberts took its flight to the better
world.
During the last two years, brother Roberts' health rapidly
declined (mainly because of Parkinson's disease). He became
conscience of his failing health in 1977 and saw it was
-best to "retire" from full-time work with the North
Freeport church, Freeport, Texas, which he did in September
of 1977. From that time until his death, he lived with his
beloved and devoted wife Christine in Refugio, Texas.
The last nine months or so were especially hard for him. It
is difficult to describe the anguish and heartache he felt
in not being able to communicate with those he loved. But,
he faced the inevitable with great courage and confidence.
And, oh how he loved and appreciated his beloved Christine.
She was an ever-present help and joy at his side. No one
has ever been blessed with a more loving and sacrificing
wife.
Dean Bullock, long-time friend and co-worker, conducted the
funeral December 24, 1979 in Refugio, Texas. He spoke of
the life-long service brother Roberts rendered to the Lord
and His church. Brother Bullock's main topic was 2 Timothy
4:6-8, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of
my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to
me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
He related how well this correlated with the life and
service of Luther G. Roberts.
Born near Wildersville, Henderson County, Tennessee,
February 28, 1903, he was raised by godly parents, whose
primary concern for their children was their education.
Luther grew up on farms in Henderson County and attended
such "country" schools as Cross Roads, Sandy, Long Sought,
and Wildersville. In the fall of 1918, his family moved to
Henderson, Chester County, Tennessee. Here he attended
Freed-Hardeman College grade school part of 1918-19; and
then from 1919 to 1923, he attended Freed-Hardeman College
High School. In the fall of 1923, at the invitation of A.G.
Freed, he entered David Lipscomb High School and graduated
in the spring of 1924. After being out of school for some
two years, he again entered Freed-Hardeman College in
January of 1927 and finished Junior College work in the
spring of 1928. Some of his teachers during this period
were A.G. Freed, N.B. Hardeman, L.L. Brigance, W.H. Owen,
E.H. Ijams, W.E. Morgan and M.S. Mason. He completed his
work for his B.S. degree at West Texas State College,
Canyon, Texas in 1930.
Luther did his first "local work" with the church in
Canyon, Texas. From there he moved to Post, Stephenville,
San Angelo and Amarillo, Texas. In the fall of 1943, he
moved to Abilene where his first wife Anna served as Dean
of Women, while he devoted his time wholly to meeting work.
From Abilene he moved to Dallas then to Pampa, Texas. In
February of 1948 he accepted the invitation to work with
the church in Clovis, New Mexico, where he stayed four
years, then, he moved to Corsicana, Borger, and again to
Amarillo, Texas. From Amarillo he moved to Salem, Oregon
where he preached for ten years and did some of his most
satisfying and profitable work. Anna died at Salem in
December of 1965. He married Christine Evans in 1967 and,
in 1968, they moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico. From
Tucumcari he moved to Freeport, Texas, where where he
preached until he retired to live in Refugio, Texas, in
September of 1977.
Ira A. Douthitt, under whose preaching Luther was persuaded
to obey the gospel and by whose hands he was baptized, used
to tell of Luther's conversion and subsequent life as a
gospel preacher to his audiences to emphasize what the
value of one life can be for the cause of Christ. It would
be impossible to conceive of the many people brother
Roberts' life has influenced for good. His direct preaching
and his association with people have led thousands to know
Christ and what it means to be a Christian and to reverence
and obey Christ. This good influence is yet with us and
will continue on and on.
Luther preached in half the states and Canada. He engaged
in debates to uphold the banner of truth. He was editor of
The Preceptor magazine from May 1955 through April 1956. He
edited The Oracles from January 1961 through January 1963.
The Oracles was dedicated to fight against institutionalism
and liberalism, especially in the Northwestern states.
His preaching was characterized by clearness, forcefulness,
and was always marked with emphasis on the scriptures. He
spoke in a most pleasing manner with precise diction, good
grammar and complete sentences. The greatest aspect of his
preaching was his love for the truth and an uncompromising
spirit.
Luther worked tirelessly in an effort to serve Christ in
the things that would promote the kingdom of God upon the
earth. His devotion to the cause of truth had been
unquestioned. He stood with the truth when it was not
popular to do so, especially at the time institutionalism
became an issue.
We extend our sympathy to sister Anna Roberts and his son
John T. Roberts of Salem, Oregon. The exceeding great and
precious promises of God are theirs; their husband and
father rests from his labors and his works will follow
after him.
Truly the life of Luther G. Roberts is a song to be
remembered. The song is ended but the melody lingers on.
John M. Trokey
Irving, Texas
Truth Magazine XXIV: 5, p. 92
January 31, 1980
Brother Roberts spoke on 1938 Abline Christian Lectureship.
His subject was "The Need of Organization."