Joseph Morgan Roberts

Joseph Morgan Roberts, of 120 Madison Street, in Eden passed away peacefully on April 30 at the Gibson House (Ancora Hospice) in Wentworth. A funeral service will be held at 2pm Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Leaksville United Methodist Church in Eden with burial to follow at Ridgeview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 1-2pm.

Joe was born in Leaksville on April 12, 1943, to Crounbie and Evelyn Morgan Roberts, into a lively Patrick Street neighborhood filled with lots of playmates who became lifelong friends. He brought his high school sweetheart and new bride, Arlene Wright, home to live in a little house on Patrick Street, just down from the family home, before they settled into their lifelong home on Madison Street. There they enjoyed 59 years of marriage, filled with the usual highs and lows that life brings, but always remaining sweethearts. Joe was preceded in death by his precious parents, along with his three younger siblings, Tim Roberts, Tanya Roberts, and Bryant Roberts.

Joe is survived by his wife, Arlene Wright Roberts, and her siblings who considered Joe one of their Wright family – Florence Price, Martha Wright, and Louise & Phil Price, along with Joe’s older siblings, Iva Roberts Welton and C.W. Roberts, Jr. (Carole), and sister-in-law Lynn Roberts. In addition to his parents and brothers and sister, Joe was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Bill Wright and Tom Wright, and sister-in-law, Brenda Wright Moore, and Arlene’s parents, Warren and Ellie Wright.

Joe had a long time career with Sears, beginning at the Lawndale Distribution Center in Greensboro, and then assuming a sales position at the Meadow Greens Shopping Center store in Eden, and later managing the Reidsville retail store. After retiring from Sears, he took on a new vocation with Roberts Frame & Art, becoming known for his craftsmanship and attention to detail. His meticulous work graces many homes and offices in the area. His life didn’t just center around work, though – he enjoyed a number of hobbies throughout his life, from bird hunting with his beloved English Setter, Dot, to amateur photography, magic tricks for the children in the family, to cataloguing all of the classic westerns and other movies he watched. Some of his most enjoyable moments were spent on the golf course, winning tournaments and enjoying time with special friends – their golf trips to the beach with Al and Sandra Puckett were notorious for the tales told and memories created.

Joe’s generosity was a true embodiment of the scripture found in Matthew 6: 3-4. He found great joy in slipping a generous tip to a hard worker, or some cash to someone on the street corner. He passed out compliments everywhere he went – going into restaurant kitchens to compliment the chef, or praising anyone he saw who was doing a good job. He was loved by his family and his community, and will truly be missed.

Joe’s family is eternally grateful to his dedicated caregivers at home and at Ancora’s Gibson House who made his final days as peaceful as possible. Memorial contributions may be made to Leaksville United Methodist Church for the Bereavement Committee at 603 Henry Street, Eden, NC, 27288, or to Ancora Compassionate Care at P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.