Jim and I were pals at GE in Waynesboro. Jim and Sue and my Englishman Peter and I shared many a bottle of wine together. The two men always tried to outdo each other’s Englishness! Jim was a great dad and husband. I never met June but I know they were a good pair. I’ll miss his phone calls and corny jokes.
ROCKY MOUNT – James Thomas Roberts “Jim”, 94, of Rocky Mount, NC passed away on January 12, 2025. Born in Kent, England on 07/21/1930, he was the son of the late, Thomas Roberts and Nancy Moffatt Roberts.
Jim was born in Kent, England in 1930 as an only child. He spent his childhood surviving World War 2 with his parents, an RAF airplane mechanic and a nurse. The family moved to the United States in 1946 and settled in New York. Jim served with the US Air Force for 4 years with most of his time at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS as a radar mechanic for the 43rd Tactical Recon Squadron. After leaving the USAF, Jim went to school in Syracuse, NY and met Sue while singing in a church choir. They married in 1956. Jim worked for General Electric in Buffalo, NY and then transferred to Waynesboro, VA in 1962. Jim and Sue spent many years with friends and family in Waynesboro where they were known for their beautiful garden full of roses, dahlias, and tree peonies. They also sang in several choirs and choral groups. Jim enjoyed golfing and surf fishing in his free time. He and Sue also enjoyed travelling, especially their number of trips with friends to Switzerland and his homeland England. Jim was known to make friends with anyone that crossed his path. He hid his English accent reasonably well until he was around fellow English natives. A few years after Sue’s passing, Jim met June and together they spent time travelling and enjoying family and friends. The Braswell family graciously accepted Jim into their family during their time together.
Jim is survived by his 3 children; Susan LeBlanc (Jeff) of Manassas, VA, Julie Roberts of Zebulon, NC, and Steven Roberts (Sherry) of Fredericksburg; and his two grandchildren, Amanda Roberts (Stefan Povolny) of Baltimore, MD, and Sara Roberts of Fredericksburg, VA. He is also survived by his partner of 18 years, June Braswell of Rocky Mount, NC along with her 3 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Services arrangements are pending.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cancer Research Institute at https://www.cancerresearch.org/ or the Jimmy V Foundation at https://donate.v.org/ would be appreciated. Both Jim and Sue were affected by cancer during their lives.
Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.

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The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in James (Jim) Thomas Roberts 's name.
Cancer Research Institute
29 Broadway Floor4
New York,
New York
10006-3111
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Jim was a dear friend of mine for over 25 years. His life was a full and rich one and he made good friends wherever he taveled and made his homes. I truly enjoyed the periodic phone converstions with Jim; as we discussed family life, childhood remeberences, wildlife, artwork, social topics of the day, etc. My sincerest condolences to the Roberts and Braswell families.