Honoring the Life and Ministry of BISHOP JAMES PICKFORD ROBERTS, JR.
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Public Viewing: 11:00 AM Celebration of Life: 1:00 PM
Saint Paul Baptist Church of Harlem
249 West 132nd Street, New York, New York 10027
Reverend Dr. V. DuWayne Battle, Senior Pastor
Order Of Service
Bishop Fetson Leak, Officiating Mt. Calvary United Church of Deliverance, Elizabeth, New Jersey
PROCESSIONAL Clergy Officials & the Family
OPENING PRAYER ............................................................................
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Bishop Fetson Leak
Psalm 91:1-8, Adriane Louard Brown
Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, Norma Lewinson
HYMN ........................................................................
“O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go”
The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle, Inc. Chancel Choir
Lowlita Browne, Patricia Buckner, Colin Emmanuel & Hilda Bertie
PRAYER OF COMFORT ...........................................................
Reverend Dr. Lenox Pigot
Senior Pastor - Grace Family Fellowship, Bronx, NY
REFLECTIONS ...............
Inez E. Dicken - New York State Assembly Member District 70
Christine Merchant - The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle
The Honorable J. Machelle Sweeting Acting Judge, New York State Supreme Court
HYMN ......................................................................................... “It is Well With My Soul”
The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle, Inc. Chancel Choir
Lowlita Browne, Patricia Buckner, Colin Emmanuel & Hilda Bertie
SERMONIC SELECTION SONG “Blessed Assurance”
EULOGY........................................................................................
Reverend Robert Royal
Associate Pastor - Saint Paul Baptist Church of Harlem
FINAL VIEWING .........................................................
COMMITTAL & BENEDICTION
George H. Weldon Funeral Home
Bishop Fetson Leak
Bishop James Pickford Roberts, Jr. was born on October 6, 1932 at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City to Marjorie Viola Roberts and Bishop James Pickford Roberts, Sr. James Jr. was the first child born in the family and the second child is Bishop William Orlando Roberts, Sr., whose date of birth was July 26, 1934. The family resided in the village of Harlem and the address at that time was 65 West 140th Street, Apt. 17. James’ early education was at P.S. 89 where he skipped a grade and then attended Frederick Douglas Junior high school 139, studying French as one of his academic subjects. He was also elected as a Secretary of the Student’s General Organization. Upon graduation he attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx where his grade point average was above 90 percent.
James’ ambition was to become a medical doctor and was encouraged by a Harlem physician named Dr. Forbes to do just that. He applied to Cornell University and was accepted. However, the administration required a photograph. Upon receipt thereof, he was rejected. Therefore, he applied to New York University but choose to attend the City College of New York’s School of Liberal Arts to study German.
His college education was temporarily interrupted when he volunteered to enter the United States Army. He completed his basic training at Fort Dix and then was deployed to Germany for the next two years to work in the U.S. army’s payroll department. While in Germany, he interfaced with German civilians and spoke quite fluently with them in their native language. James is an honorably discharged Korean War Veteran and the recipient of one of the army’s highest awards: The Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant. He achieved the rank of Specialist Second Class Two.
Roberts’ parents encouraged their sons to actively participate in America’s 1960’s civil rights movement. As a result, James was extremely active in efforts to organize and plan activities alongside his political allies such as now retired Congressman Charlie B. Rangel and the Reverend Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. With courage, James accompanied his father to Selma, Alabama where they participated in the civil rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This March 7, 1965 historic event, led by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Hosea Williams and former Congressman John R. Lewis, is better known as “Bloody Sunday.” James and his father faced a brutal attack by oncoming Alabama State Troopers, the County Sheriff and his Deputies. As they were escaping this horrific incident, James and his father were nearly killed by flying bullets. Bloody Sunday was a turning point in the national civil rights movement. James continued his political efforts to encourage Harlem and New York City residents to register to vote and be active civic participants in the democratic process.
Upon returning to the United States of America, he continued serving with his father at The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle (St. Thomas), which is affiliated with the Liberal Catholic Church. Subsequently, he received his minor orders which led to his ordination as a priest and subsequently to be consecrated as a Bishop. He became a member of the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance. He returned to the City College of New York and earned his Bachelorette Degree in Liberal Arts. Subsequently, he attained his Master of Science in Education degree from the City College of New York.
For forty-three (43) years, James served as an educator and administrator in the New York City Public School System. He began his teaching career at PS 133 in Harlem while his brother was a teacher of mathematics at Junior High School 139. James was given an administrative position in the district 5 office which subsequently led to his selection as the Deputy Superintendent of Schools in District 6. He was the city’s longest serving Deputy Superintendent, developing and implementing diverse programs, enhancing students educational experience within his district. He developed a program with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) which increased the acceptance of students in the City’s elite High Schools. He brough astronaut Fred Gregory to his community school district to encourage students to excel in their studies and offer a vision in the aeronautical industry. Furthermore, he was instrumental in Fred Gregory performing similar orientations at his brother William Sr.’s community school district. James was asked to participate as a passenger on one of NASA’s space capsule trips to serve as an educator at a Cape Carnival launch. However, he chose not to participate. An additional beneficial program he started was the first dental program for children in district six. All children in his district were now eligible to receive dental examinations, many for the first time.
Moreover, James’ educational experiences also included being the President of the New York Association of Black Educators, Treasurer of the Deputy Superintendent’s Association and the Acting Superintendent of Community School District Six in Manhattan where he has responsible for overseeing the administration and operations of the public schools within Washington Heights, Inwood and parts of Harlem.
Upon his father’s passing in 1972, Bishop James P. Roberts, Jr. served as the Rector at The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle, Inc. In 1932, the church was legally incorporated in the State of New York. St. Thomas was a core theme defining Bishop Roberts, Jr’s life. Since his childhood, and through the day of his passing, St. Thomas clergy and parishioners became his true second family.
A unique element of Bishop Roberts, Jr.’s spirituality, involved his encouragement to develop and promote women into the pulpit. Under the affiliation of the Liberal Catholic Church, he installed the first female Deacon in the church. Viola Brown faithfully served for several years resulting in the elevation of addition women into the pulpit. This new tradition shall continue for years to come.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Bishop Roberts, Jr. established traditional fundraising activities such as the imaginary trip to the West Indies, bus rider to various state parks, trips on Caribbean cruises and trips around the world to destinations such as Kenya. His fundraising efforts resulted in the purchase of a new organ, new church front doors, scholarship financing for high school seniors to attend university and the development of a computer training literacy program.
His religious traditions included his love for special Sunday services such as the Easter’s Libretto Cantata and the Nine Lessons and Carols. His favorite song for this event was “O Holy Night.” Another favorite was presenting to the community the Hallelujah Chorus every holiday season.
James’ community work was vast and diverse. He was particularly proud of his efforts with youth. For thirty-five (35) years, he served as a mentor and Youth Court Committee Member for the New Rochelle, New York Youth Court. The youth court is a peer-driven justice system where youth volunteers act in various court roles to hear cases involving other young people who have committed minor offenses. Bishop Roberts mentorship led to many young offenders showing accountability for their previous actions, understanding the consequences of their actions and move to repair harm to the community. James’ hearing and event speeches were so stirring that he was unofficially known as “The Closer.”
For many years, Bishop Roberts, Jr. served on the Board of Trustees of The Schomburg Corporation. This nonprofit organization supports the mission and activities of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, located in Harlem, New York. James contributed his intense energy and resources to assist in aiding the organization to support the Schomburg Center’s finances, its preservation and promotion of Black culture and to broaden the Center’s audience by promoting educational programs, exhibitions, and to highlight the contributions of African Americans and the global African diaspora.
James was an active member of the Antigua and Barbuda Progressive Society (ABPS). The ABPS is a 90-year-old nonprofit organization founded by his father Bishop Roberts, Sr. The society works to foster friendships among members, promotes social, intellectual and cultural forums for Antiguan and Barbudan citizens in New York City. Bishop Roberts Jr. hosted several events for the society and consistently supported its efforts.
James and his deceased wife Dorett Georgia Roberts moved into the lovely bedroom community of New Rochelle, NY where they raised their two sons. The Roberts family has lived in New Rochelle for more than 40 years.
Bishop Roberts, Jr. leaves to mourn his loss, brother Bishop William O. Roberts, Sr., Sisterin-law Sandra Roberts, sons Darryl, Dwayne and Jason Roberts, daughter’s in law, Trina and Janice Roberts, granddaughter Anaya Jenai Roberts, great grandson Prince Legend Robinson, nephews William O. Roberts, Jr., Charlie E. Roberts, niece, Pamela M. Roberts, his church family at The Church of St. Thomas, The Apostle, friends at the Antigua and Barbuda Progressive Society, as well as a host of friends and colleagues. He is now reunited with those who have gone before him including his parents Majorie Viola Roberts, James Pickford Roberts, Sr., and his wife Dorett Georgia Roberts.
Bishop James Pickford Roberts, Jr. was a guiding light in a world often filled with darkness, His legacy of love, justice, and unwavering faith will continue to burn brightly in the hearts of all who were touched by his life.
In Appreciation
The family wishes to thank the medical personnels at Montefiore Medical Center, The New Jewish Home Sarah Neuman Rehabilitation Center and James’ faithful caregiver Carol Spence Brown for the dedicated professional services that were rendered during the final period of his life. We appreciate the numerous individuals who expressed their support with their prayers, visits and telephone calls! We pray that God will bless you, abundantly!
Donations
Bishop Roberts Jr.’s long-standing service to his church was truly a labor of love. In support of his church, donations can be made payable to “The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle, Inc.”
Contributions may be given to an usher or mailed to his home address at 39 Claire Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804.
The Repast
At the conclusion of this service, you are invited to join the family in a repast that will be held in the St. Paul’s Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Enjoy our preparations and please share your memories.
Interment
Monday, October 14, 2024 @ 11:00 AM Calverton National Cemetery Calverton, Long Island, New York
Interment Procession will meet at the home of Bishop James Pickford Roberts, Jr. 39 Claire Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804
The procession leaves at 9:00 AM
KFuneral Arrangements entrusted to: GEORGE H. WELDON FUNERAL HOME, INC. 343 East 116th Street, New York, NY 10029
Phone: (212) 427-3300 Fax: (212) 860-7235
Email: weldonfh@verizon.net
Program Design & Printing entrusted to: MLD Communications Rev. J-Anthony & Madelin Dargan, 62 Maple Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
Phone: (973) 783-6198 Email: mldcomm@aol.com