Norman Lamar Roberts, Jr.

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Thursday, December 12, 2019
4:30-6:30 pm
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Immanuel Baptist Church
501 N. Shackleford Road
Little Rock, AR  72211
Friday, December 13, 2019
10:30 a.m.
Cemetery
Riverwood Memorial Gardens
301 Carnahan Drive
Maumelle, AR  72113
Norman Lamar Roberts, Jr.

of Little Rock, AR

March 15, 1930 - December 7, 2019

On Saturday, December 7, 2019, Norman Lamar Roberts, Jr. passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born March 15, 1930 near Hernando, Mississippi, to Norman and Myrtie (Shows) Roberts, Sr.
The only child of a Southern Baptist pastor, Norman attended schools in Mississippi, Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri. At age 16, Norman graduated from Jones County Agricultural High School in Ellisville, Mississippi and proceeded to Baylor University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education Administration degree in 1950. While at Baylor, he participated as a member of the Baylor Chamber of Commerce and Alpha Epsilon Delta. Following graduation, he taught a year of high school in Bastrop, Texas, before he entered the United States Air Force, where he served two years and attained a rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Norman married his Baylor sweetheart, Mary Karolyn Ball, on July 13, 1952, and after completing an administrative internship at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, Texas, he went on to earn his Master of Public Health degree in Hospital Administration from University of California at Berkley in 1955. He returned to Baylor Hospital and completed his administrative residency in 1956.
Norman oversaw all planning and construction of Memorial Hospital in North Little Rock, which opened shortly before his 30th birthday. He served as administrator of the hospital until October 1985. From that point until his retirement in 1993, he served as Senior Vice President for Affiliations at Baptist Medical System in Little Rock.
Being passionate about foreign missions, Norman and Kay spent several years after his retirement serving in short-term assignments with the International Mission Board in India, Indonesia, Germany, and Kazakhstan.
Throughout his life, Norman enjoyed family camping and canoeing, was an avid reader and stamp collector, and he loved to travel. He particularly enjoyed genealogy and even became certified as a Son of the American Revolution.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Kay, and his children, John Roberts and wife Vivian; Becky Brown and husband Joe; Tim Roberts and wife Jan; Rachel Ligon and husband Greg; five grandchildren (Samantha Brown Windham and husband Trevor, Hannah Beth Roberts Sims and husband Micah, Chloe Roberts Bacon and husband Matt, Tanner Ligon, and Libbie Ligon) and one great-grandson (Wade Windham).
Visitation will be held from 4:30-6:30 pm, Thursday, December 12, 2019 in the Garden Room of Roller Chenal Funeral Home (13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas). A service to celebrate Norman's life will follow at 10:30 am, Friday, December 13, 2019 at Immanuel Baptist Church (501 North Shackleford Road, Little Rock, Arkansas).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (https://www.imb.org/lottie-moon-christmas-offering/).

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4 Condolence(s)
Lynda Tyler Quick
North Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, December 12, 2019

My deepest condolences in the loss Mr. Roberts. My mother, Pat Tyler, had the pleasure of working with Mr. Roberts at Memorial Hospital, and it truly was a pleasure for her. What a reunion in Heaven!! Even though we didn’t spend a lot of time together, Mr. Roberts felt like family to us, as well. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Sandy Tyler Carpenter
Maumelle, AR
Liked
Thursday, December 12, 2019

The name Norman Roberts was one I grew up hearing. My mom, Pat Tyler, went to work at Memorial Hospital in the early ‘60s and under Mr. Roberts’ leadership, she retired in 1990 as Vice President for Nursing at Memorial. She had the utmost respect for Mr. Roberts, as he did for her.
Sincere condolences to your family.

Donna Weatherford
Beebe, AR
Liked
Wednesday, December 11, 2019

I can only imagine what a fine man Mr.Roberts was, because I only knew one of his sons,John. John, you and your precious family are in my prayers.

Fay Young
West Point, TX
Liked
Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Tim, you and your siblings as well as your families, have my sincere sympathy. Letting a parent enter into their spiritual life is never an easy task. However your Dad’s life was apparently filled with success, happiness, and a service to our God. Please know each of you will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days to follow. Fay