Newitt Drew Roberts Sr., of Florida died March 17

Mr. Newitt Drew Roberts Sr., 94, of Mulberry, Fla. died of respiratory failure Monday, March 17, 2008 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

His funeral was held 11 a.m. Monday, March 24, 2008 at Oak Hill Baptist Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.

He was born March 16, 1914 in Emanuel County to Benjamin Franklin and Della Stavely Roberts. He had five sisters, Dealva, Daisey, Evelyn, Madge and Grace. He had three brothers, Noel, Eugene and Richard.

He attended school in Millen, which was a two-room schoolhouse in the Oak Hill Baptist Church in Jenkins County. Newitt learned farming from his father, and when he was a young man he became a well-known and recognized farmer in the Millen area. He grew cotton, corn and peanuts, and later included a dairy to his 376-acre farm.

He also raised prize-winning Poland China hogs, claiming first prize and a blue ribbon for his entry in the county fair in Savannah in 1951.

He married his school sweetheart, Lois Clayton, on Jan. 28, 1934, and they celebrated 63 years together, until she passed away in 1997. They had seven children: June, Wayne, Neil, Totsy, Patsy, Bonnie and N.D. "Rob" Jr.

Newitt served his country in 1942 in the U.S. Army at Camp Swift, Texas in the 110th Evacuation Medical Corps.

In 1953, he sold his farm and moved his family to Mulberry. He was employed in the phosphate industry in the area for nearly 30 years, retiring from the Royster Chemical Co. in 1980.

He was an active member in the International Chemical Workers Union, Local 573. He held office as president for several terms, as well as financial secretary for the District and Joint Council number of years. He was a charter member and financial secretary for the Fifth Region of International Chemical Workers Retirees Club. Newitt Roberts was a staunch supporter and strong believer in organized labor.

Newitt proudly displayed many award plaques in his home, earning them through his good deeds and hard work in union activities and civic affairs. Some of these include Outstanding Leadership in the International Chemical Workers Union in 1980 and Senior Citizen of the Year in Mulberry, 1987. Others include Outstanding Leadership as president of the Golden Age Club of Mulberry, 1988 and 1999; Volunteer Service award from Polk County Board of Commissioners in 1993, 1996 and 1997; Kiwanis Club for Outstanding Service in 1986 and the Mulberry Centennial Celebration Award for the City of Mulberry in 2001. He was the manager of Distribution of USDA Commodities for more than 20 years, and he received a Certificate of Achievement for his good works in 2001. He was elected chairman of the planning board for the City of Mulberry in 1989, holding this post 11 years, until he resigned in 2000, but he remained an active member of the board.

He was always ready to give a helping hand when called upon for any volunteer work for the city. He was sometimes called "Do it, Newitt," because of his untiring efforts to complete any task he was given.

Newitt never lost his talent and expert knowledge as a farmer, proving it with his year-round homegrown vegetables. He took great pride in producing prize-winning bounties of corn, cabbage, black-eyed peas, okra, mustard, collard and turnip greens, and potatoes. His backyard was a constant horn of plenty, and he loved sharing his harvest with his family, friends and neighbors.

He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Mulberry, and treasurer of his Senior Men's Adult Sunday School Class.

He made the best banana pudding, cornbread dressing and homegrown turnip greens in the country, verified by his children and all the members of the First Baptist Church in Mulberry.

Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Roberts; daughter, June Roberts; sisters, Dealva Fouts, Daisey Roberts, Evelyn Newton, Madge Burke and Grace Bence; and brothers Noel Roberts and Eugene Roberts.

He is survived by sons, Wayne Roberts of Ormond Beach, Fla., Neil Roberts of Lake Wales, Fla., Totsy Roberts of Mulberry and Rob Roberts of Land-O Lakes, Fla.; daughters, Patsy Mitchell of Barlow, Fla., Bonnie Carr of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a brother, Richard Roberts of Largo, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; and 15 greatgrandchildren.