Stephen R. Roberts
Stephen Ricker Roberts of Whittier, North Carolina, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on Thursday, July 24 at the age of 72. He was the son of Raymond (USN, WWII) and Glennie Roberts of Bryson City, and spent most of his life in Swain County.
Steve was an alumnus of the Swain County High School class of 1970 and earned a Master of Arts in Education, specializing in School Guidance and Counseling, from Western Carolina University in 1979. Throughout his professional career, he was dedicated to the support and development of youth in the region, serving as a guidance counselor at Cherokee Elementary School, a counselor for the Upward Bound program at Western Carolina University and at Haywood County Social Services.
He is survived by his wife, Laverne; his brothers, Thomas Roberts (Ruth Ann) of Monroe, and Edward Roberts (Majetta) of Waynesville; sister Carol Bradley (Hamm) of Cherokee, who followed him in passing on July 26; stepson Greg Bennett (Allison) and grandchildren Avery and Grayson Bennett of Germantown, Tennessee; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his father in 1954, mother in 2000, and sister Barbara in 1999.