Obituary: Stanley Floyd Roberson, Jr.
Stanley Floyd Roberson Jr., 82, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at UNC Lenoir Health Care surrounded by his devoted wife, daughters and family.
Stanley was a loving, kind man and friend to all. He found his joy in watching his crops grow, his children and grandchildren prosper and feeling the pride that his family and farm gave him. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was our friend, counselor and mentor and was always there with a guiding hand and words of wisdom. Stanley was born on August 24, 1939 in Lenoir County to the late Bertie Whitley Roberson and Stanley Floyd Roberson Sr. He was a life-long resident of the Southwood Community and graduated from Southwood School.
Stanley was a 1962 graduate of East Carolina College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. There he was a charter member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He was also a graduate of the North Carolina State Modern Farming program. After graduating college, Stanley served in the United States Army from 1962-1965. He did his basic training at Fort Gordon in Georgia and was then assigned to Karlsruhe, Germany to work communication command, the Signal Corps. While in Germany, he completed the Noncommissioned Officers Academy to achieve the rank of Sergeant. Stanley traveled across much of Europe during his time in service and then years later he and his wife traveled back to Germany, Austria and Italy to retrace his footsteps from service. He also enjoyed sharing photos and stories of his time in service with his children and grandchildren and considered it some of his fondest memories. Stanley met his bride, Carol Haddock, in the fall of 1965 and they were married August 28, 1966 at Foy’s Methodist Church.
Stanley and Carol had a loving marriage and enjoyed their travels together and life on the farm. In their early years of marriage, they spent countless hours operating their small vineyard together, Sycamore Vineyards. After his honorable discharge from service in 1965, Stanley returned to Lenoir County and began working at Dupont. In 1966, he began working at Caswell Developmental Vocational Rehabilitation Center until 1975. During this time, he was also busy with the vineyard and had begun farming some with his father Stanley Sr. Stanley began farming full time with his father in 1975 and they later formed Sycamore Farms, Inc along with his brother, Alton. He was also co-owner of Roberson Family Farms LLC with his brothers, Alton and Gerald. During his farming career, he raised various crops including tobacco, cotton, corn, wheat, sorghum, grains and pasture, sweet potatoes, timberland, and also his cattle and hog operation. Stanley received many recognitions during his teaching and farming careers. He was a member of the Kinston Jaycees from 1966 to 1974 and was selected as the Jaycees Outstanding Educator in 1971. In 1989, he was awarded the Man of the Year by the Lenoir County Livestock Association.
He was a past member of the Kinston-Lenoir County Airport Commission and served on the Lenoir County Board of Tax Review and Equalization. He was a charter member of the Deep Run Water Corporation and the Jones County Cotton Gin. He was also a member and officer of several agricultural committees and received several awards. He was a director on the AgCarolina Farm Credit Board (formerly East Carolina Farm Credit) for 15 years and served one term each as chairman and vice chairman. As a part of AgCarolina, he and Carol were able to travel with this group of farmers and made many memorable and lasting friendships. He also served on various local agriculture committees and commodity organizations including Farm Bureau.
Stanley was a lifelong and devoted member of Armenia Christian Church where he served as an elder, deacon and church treasurer for many years. He loved his church family. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carol Haddock Roberson. He has two wonderful daughters and their husbands who loved him dearly, Leigh Allyson Roberson Phillippe (Patrick) of Kinston and Rebecca Lynn Roberson Janson (Brian) of Larchmont, New York, four cherished grandsons, David Roberson Phillippe, Benjamin Patrick Phillippe, Robert Floyd Janson, and Taylor Michael Janson. He is also survived by his brothers Gerald Roberson (Brenda) and Alton Roberson (Robin) all of Kinston, sister in law, Linda Haddock Harriett (Jimmy) of New Bern and many special nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 2 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Armenia Christian Church in Kinston with a reception following. The funeral will be held on Friday, December 3 at 1:00 pm at Armenia Christian Church followed by the burial at West View Cemetery with military honors.
Reverend John Brick will officiate the service. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Armenia Christian Church 1817 Hwy 70 East Kinston. The family asks that you please wear a mask.
