Simmie Roberson

When the sun of life reaches its zenith with the brightness of a well spent life, when passing comes we can only say that a beautiful life has ended.” Deacon Simmie Roberson was born July 24, 1928 to the late Claudia Barnes-Foster and Charlie Roberson in Bessemer, Alabama. He confessed Christ at an early age and united with the Old Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church on July 25, 1940, under the late Reverend Jeffrey Fisher Bryant. In 1959, he was ordained as a deacon and served as a faithful and devoted member for over 73 years under the pastorate of Alfonza January. He was united in holy matrimony to Sister Corine Kelly-Roberson on April 1, 1951 and to this union six children and one steptson were born. Deacon Simmie Roberson was an ardent worker and laborer. At the young age of 23, he started working at Pullman Standard Company on September 11, 1951 where he remained for thirty years and three months. He served as financial secretary and trustee for USWA, Local Union #1466, an Assistant Treasurer for the Credit Union, Alabama Labor Council for USWA, Vice President for the Northern District of Alabama, Financial Secretary for the Bessemer Labor Council and he also served with Red Cross for over eight years. Brother Roberson was a proud member of the Concerned Citizens of Bessemer Cut-Off Chain of PAC, Jefferson County Democratic Conference Executive Board, City of Bessemer Industrial Board, Bessemer Carraway Medical Advisory Board, Western Health Foundation Board of Directors, UAB Medical West Executive Board, Alabama Abuse Counseling Center and past member of the Bessemer Zoning Board. He departed this long and fulfilled life Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 3:35P.M. at UAB Medical West. He was preceded in death by: wife, Corine Kelly-Roberson; parents, Claudia Barnes-Foster and Charlie Roberson; two step-sisters, Verlena Ike and Suprena Blackmon; two sisters-in-law, Estella (Kelly) Hill and Rosie Kelly; and one grandson, James A. Miller. He leaves to cherish his legacy and memories: five daughters, Katherine (Walter) Frazier, Gloria Miller, Shirley Hudson, Anita Bryant, Valerie (Reginald) Watkins; two sons, Vincent (Miyoshi) Roberson and Simmie Roberson, Jr., all of Bessemer, AL. He also leaves to cherish: one daughter, Phyllis Johnson and one sone Charles Johnson of Cleveland, OH; one sister, Mildred Greene of Chicago, IL; one sister-in-law, Sadie Kelly-Stewart of Cleveland, OH; eight granddaughters; ten grandsons; fourteen great-grandchildren; two great, great-grandchildren; and a host of very special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends