Obituary: Charles Horace Roberson

Charles Horace Roberson, Baptist minister and teacher, died Nov. 17 in Houston. He was 93. He was born Dec. 20, 1931, at home in Tenaha to Horace Greeley and Edith Grace Parker Roberson. Roberson graduated as valedictorian at age 16 from Tenaha High School in 1948. He earned a bachelor’s degree in math with a minor in German from Stephen F. Austin State College and later received a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1960. He first taught algebra and geometry in Gladewater and Tyler. In 1958, he left his work with Texaco Oil Company in New Orleans after sensing a call to ministry. Roberson began serving in youth ministry at First Baptist Church in Texarkana in 1961. He later was called to First Baptist Church in Lubbock, where he served first as youth director and then, beginning in 1967, as minister of education. In 1976, he joined the staff of Northwest Memorial Baptist Church in Houston—now Houston Northwest Church—as education director and business administrator. In 1981, University Baptist Church in Clear Lake called Roberson as minister of education and associate pastor. He served there until his retirement in 1996. Throughout his ministry, he was known for strengthening local church discipleship through the training of Sunday school leaders and volunteers, a work he considered central to his calling. In retirement, Roberson remained an active member of University Baptist Church until declining health limited his involvement. He was preceded in death by siblings Jack Roberson and Chuck Roberson. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Vancelle Roberson; son Todd Lindsey Roberson and wife Jill of Georgetown; daughter Carrie Laine Hill and husband J.J. of League City; and five grandchildren.