Nancy Carroll Roberts

Polk City- Nancy Carroll Roberts, 76, passed into the arms of her Savior on January 7, 2019. She was born in Gloucester City, New Jersey on March 10, 1942. She moved to Florida at the age of 6 and grew up in South Florida. She married William Hutchins Roberts on January 23, 1960, and moved with him to Texas where they would be attending Seminary in Arlington. After graduation, they returned to Florida and began full-time ministry. They first served at First Baptist Church of West Hollywood, where Nancy was a charter member. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts then founded Pompano Baptist Temple and Highlands Christian Academy. Now Grace Baptist Church, these ministries continue today. Abundant Funds, one of the first fundraising companies in the state, was also founded during this time. It was Nancy’s idea for their most successful and longest running product line of Christmas Cards. In 1977, they moved their family, now including 4 sons, to Ocala, Florida and began working with Abundant Funds full time. Always a creative soul, Nancy founded the company “Silk Thumb” which specialized in creating silk tress and silk flower arrangements which continued until her retirement. Nancy loved music. She played cornet in the high school band and sang baritone in various ladies barbershop groups until her health no longer allowed her to do so. She was a faithful member of the church choir for many years. In 1994, William and Nancy moved to Polk City where they became active members of Calvary Baptist Church in Lakeland. While Nancy loved her family, music, sewing, and creating, she loved Jesus Christ most of all. She spent tremendous time supporting missionaries throughout the years and encouraging those in ministry. Her greatest legacy is that she passed her love for Christ onto her 4 sons, her 16 grandchildren, and her 4 great-grandchildren. Nancy is survived by her loving husband of nearly 59 years, William; her sister, Karen Truesdale, four sons, Bill Hutch Roberts (Amy), Jerry Roberts (Karen), Vernon Roberts, Ben Roberts (Paige); 16 grandchildren, Brent, David, Noah, Tim (Kristin), Jonathan, Ricky (Adelia), Katie, Hayley, Joshua, Mary, Bradlee, Whitney, Truett, Emmett, Wyatt and Sam; and four great-grandchildren, Bailey, Brooklyn, Easton and Camron; as well as precious nieces and nephews. Her visitation will be at Calvary Baptist Church, Lakeland at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 12 followed by her celebration of life service at 11:00 am also at the church. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, behind the family farm in Branford, Florida on Monday, January 14 at 1 pm. Donations my be made to: World Baptist Fellowship Missions http://www.wbfi.net/support-the-wbfma http://www.wbfi.net/online-giving or Highlands Christian Academy - Scholarship Fund https://highlandschristian.org/support-hca/online-giving/

Nancy Carroll Roberts

March 10, 1942 - January 7, 2019