Leonard Mills Roberts

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 N. Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
Friday, March 17, 2017
1:00 to 2:00 PM
Service Schedule
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 N. Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
Friday, March 17, 2017
2:00 PM
Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Road
Harrison, AR  72601
Memorial Contributions
Red Oak Baptist Church
1625 Hwy. 62/65 North
Harrison, AR  72601
I served in the Army.
Leonard Mills RobertsI am a Veteran.

of Harrison, AR

February 26, 1923 - March 14, 2017

Leonard M. Roberts, of Harrison, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, March 14, 2017. He was born in rural Boone County on February 26, 1923, to Bertie (B.G.) Roberts and Birdie (Sharp) Roberts. He celebrated his 94th birthday in February.

Leonard was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Walsie (Bates) Roberts; his daughter, Rebecca (Becky) Vail, of Harrison; his parents; all of his siblings, Paul Roberts of Boone County, Gertrude Kelley of Illinois, Leila Cecil of Washington state, Freda Anderson of Boone County and Bert Roberts, Jr. of Virginia.

He is survived by his son, David and Joan Roberts of Stotts City, MO; and daughters, Shirley Richesin and Newell and Liz and Tom Creamer, both of the Harrison area, Kay Carr and Barbara and Jim Murphy of Republic, MO. Also surviving Leonard are his grandchildren, Sandra Vail, Michelle and Nolan Lott, Dean and Chris Vail, Angie and Bruce Stuart, Kristi and Tim Gray, Scott and Amanda Roberts, Chris and Jimmy Black, Amanda Creamer, Brenda and Scott Johndrow, Sandra Richesin, Mike, Dale and Dusty Murphy and Johnny Smith; twenty five great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. He also survives two brothers-in-law, Ray and Randall Richardson; numerous nieces and nephews and other friends and relatives.

Leonard was a veteran, serving during World War II. Even though he completed only the 10th grade, Leonard nevertheless was skilled at several occupations including carpenter, electrician, plumber, mechanic, logging and especially water powered generation of electricity. Growing up on the family farm that had spring fed creeks, he designed and built his first water wheel before he ever started school!

He was always interested in trains and purchased land next to the Missouri Pacific Railroad to build his last home. The major deciding factor for purchase of the forty acres was Cheatam Creek ran through the property. He built a dam and designed a 12 foot water wheel with the Vo-Tech class building the wheel to his specifications. For the next 35 plus years he generated electricity that provided power for several appliances (an agreement with AP&L (Entergy) specified any extra power generated would be sold to the electric company).

For most of those years each morning (rain or shine) he set out for an inspection of the flumes leading to the water wheel. The method of storing the electricity was a very complicated procedure at one point attempting to explain to his son and daughter, David and Shirley, the process of turning one switch off, another on which HAD to happen in the proper sequence the daughter determined she wasn't intelligent enough to follow the process that she should keep her day job as a bookkeeper! He farmed part time, worked in the logging industry in Colorado and Wyoming in the 1950s and 60s and was employed as a carpenter for Ozark Opportunities, Inc. in the Weatherization Program in the 1980s.

He accepted Christ at the age of 16 and faithfully attended church until prevented by health issues late in life. He and Walsie were charter members of Red Oak Baptist Church. He read the Bible on a daily basis throughout his lifetime, including the last year when he resided at Harrison Rehab & Health Center. Music was another lifelong interest, he played several musical instruments-guitar, mandolin and fiddle. For several years he and other Roberts' cousins (and any other interested parties), would have impromptu musical sessions hooking up an amplifier and playing for hours on Saturday evenings fortunately they lived in the country without neighbors near enough to complain about the noise! He was a church musical leader at one time and he and Walsie especially enjoyed attending the 5th Sunday gospel singing. In addition to the love of trains, he was also interested in vehicles as long as they were a Ford product!

The family wishes to thank his caregivers, niece, Irene Jackson, and granddaughter, Michelle Lott, and all the special people at Harrison Rehab and Health Center. Memorials may be sent to Red Oak Baptist Church, 1625 Hwy. 62-65 North, Harrison, AR 72601.

Visitation was Friday March 17, 2017, with funeral service following at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home in Harrison. Pastor Gary Crawford officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Dean Vail, Scott Roberts, Wade Roberts, Rick Anderson, Dale Anderson and Tony Anderson.

Honorary pallbearers were J.O. and Marion Bullington, Ray Richardson, Randall Richardson, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Blackwell, Jim and Donna Blackwell and Craig Jones.

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3 Condolence(s)
Mary
Yellville,
Liked
Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Shirley so sorry for your loss just read about your dad in paper thoughts and prayers for your family

Teresia Sharp
Harrison, AR
Liked
Sunday, March 19, 2017

Just wanted you all to know that I was sorry to hear about your dad passing. I was not able to attend the service, but wanted to let you know that I was thinking of the family. Love you all Teresia Sharp

Nancy Roberts Pond
Huntsville, AL
Liked
Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Leonard was a kind gentle soul and he will be missed. He came to visit us in Sterling,, Virginia and we really enjoyed having them with us at our house. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time of loss.
Nancy & family