MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2008 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jones, Walls, Jordan, Butler, Jackson (11th), Horhn, Simmons, Frazier, Jackson (15th), Lee (35th)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER FLORA POLICE CHIEF HUBERT ROBERTS, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLICE CHIEF IN MADISON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, local and state law enforcement officers are mourning the loss of former Flora Police Chief Hubert Roberts, who passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Hubert R. Roberts, Sr., was born on July 25, 1944, in Bentonia, Mississippi, to Judge Roberts and Linnie Johnson Roberts, both of whom preceded him in death. Hubert joined the New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. He completed his education in 1962 in the Yazoo County School District. On December 7, 1963, he married Elsie Mae Jones and from this union three children were born: Kenneth, Carolyn and Hubert, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, in 1966, Hubert began his law enforcement officer career with the Chicago Police Department. He moved his family to Flora, Mississippi, in 1969, and continued his career in law enforcement with the Flora Police Department from 1971 to 1973. He accelerated his career in 1973 as a Deputy Sheriff with the Madison County Sheriff's Department under Billy Nobles' administration. In 1990, he was promoted to Chief Deputy under the Jessie Hopkins' administration, where he served until 2000. On January 2000, he became the first African-American Chief of Police in the Town of Flora. After retiring from his law enforcement officer career, Hubert continued to work through community involvement. He was instrumental in helping raise an entire community of children; and
WHEREAS, during his law enforcement officer career, Hubert received numerous awards from all over the state. The award that he cherished and most proud of was when he was named the Grand Marshall and Grand Dad to the Kearney Park Cowboys Youth Football League; and
WHEREAS, the legacy of Chief Hubert R. Roberts continues to live on through his children and grandchildren. He leaves to cherish his memories: children, Kenneth Roberts, Carolyn D. Roberts, Hubert R. Roberts, Jr., Lucille Griffin, Linda Stuckey and Melissa R. Ealey; grandchildren, Jamarian M. Roberts, Jarrion M. Roberts, Johnathan M. Roberts, Keiarree K. Ealey, Kennedy K. Ealey, Charley C. Griffin, Christian C. Griffin, Briauna Shelton and Ebony Phinisee; brothers, J.B. (Mae) Harrington, Wilma Harrington, Leonard (Dorothy) Roberts and Charles (Joyce) Roberts; sisters, Minnie Eiland, Betty (Bilbo) Jones, Lurlene (David) Hurd, Isabella (Charles) Oliver, Juanita (Gerald) Good, Erma Jean Gooden and Nancy Sallie; brothers-in-law, Benjamin (Bud) Spires, Robert Lee (Glossie) Jones and McKinley (Mary) Jones; sisters-in-law, Catherine (J.T.) Perkins, Nettie Steels, Bobbie Broussard, Emma (Lloyd) Williams and Regina Jones. A host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and a very dedicated family friend who assisted him daily, Ms. Essie Williams; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this respected member of the law enforcement community, who will be missed by his family, his community and by the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and dedicated public service of former Flora Police Chief Hubert Roberts, the first African-American Police Chief in Madison County, Mississippi, and extend to his surviving family the sympathy of the Senate on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Chief Roberts, be forwarded to Mayor Charles Scott Greaves of the City of Flora and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.