Haines Lippincott Roberts, 85, of Tuscaloosa, died August 27, 2018. Haines, beloved by family, friends, and colleagues, was born February 11, 1933 in Camden, New Jersey to Joseph Earle and Elmira Thompson Roberts. He was raised in Haddonfield, New Jersey, a suburb of Philadelphia where his family operated businesses. A talented trumpeter, Haines worked his way through Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania playing jazz, often traveling to a nearby college to court Alice Morris, his future wife of 60 years. He was a proud member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity.
After serving as Lt. First Class in United States Army Intelligence, Haines began a 44-year career in the retail business with Mercantile Stores Company. A transfer from New York City in the 1950s took him to a management position at Montgomery Fair department store in Montgomery. He later contributed leadership at Gayfers in Tuscaloosa, and as general manager at Castner-Knott in Decatur. His innovations in department store marketing, especially an early morning Christmas sale benefiting charity, were admired in the industry.
Haines was a true gentleman, warming hearts with both his caring nature and quick humor. He thought of others first. Never uttered an unkind word. Raised his voice in Tuscaloosa’s Grace Presbyterian Church choir. And attracted a legion of friends as big as his collection of jazz CDs and vinyl (especially featuring Miles Davis whom he met several times). To his Mercantile family Haines was a role model, helping employees develop their talents. In the workplace, he was warm, fair and a master of details; in the community, he gave graciously (often from his own resources), never taking credit. Further, he was a leader of Decatur’s merchant’s group, a member of his church session, and voted Decatur’s Retailer of the Year twice.
Haines was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Alice.
He is survived by his loving partner, Gerry Yeoman and her children; sisters, Miriam Roberts Paul of Atlanta and Myra Roberts Alexander of Philadelphia; daughter, Ruthie Roberts Sherrill (Russell) of Tuscaloosa; sons, Edward “Ned” Earle Roberts (Rita) of Decatur, John Haines Roberts (Carolanne) of Birmingham and David Haines Roberts (Dorita) of Bakersfield, California; grandchildren, Elizabeth Ashley Roberts Williams (Matt) of Bakersfield, Fletcher Haines Griffith Roberts of Birmingham, and Abby Lee Roberts of Denver; and great-grandchildren, Madynn and Wyatt Williams of Bakersfield.
Additional family includes stepgrandchildren, Katie Barnett (Brian) and Will Sherrill (Julie) of Tuscaloosa, Jordan Kent of Decatur and Brandt Kent (Danielle) of Birmingham, and Nathan, Kaitlin and Emily Griffin of Bakersfield.
Special thanks go to Tracey Hodo Boyd, Hospice of West Alabama, Mary Jones and Stony Henry.
A memorial celebration is scheduled for Thursday, September 6, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 113 Hargrove Road, Tuscaloosa. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.
