Shaler Sinclair Roberts, Jr., M.D. of Killen, Alabama died on March 7, 2013 at ECM Hospital at the age of 85. The graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2013 at the Florence Cemetery with the Rev. Sam Hardee III officiating.
Dr. Roberts was born on June 11, 1927 in Florence, Alabama. He graduated from Coffee High School in 1945, the University of Alabama in 1949 and the University of Alabama Medical School in 1954. He completed his internship and residency at Duke University Hospital in 1958 and then remained on the senior hospital staff for a year. He also completed a fellowship at Harvard University Medical School. Prior to matriculating at the University of Alabama, Dr. Roberts served from 1945 to 1947 in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Dr. Roberts was a Board Certified Ophthalmologist at the Florence Clinic for 34 years, from 1959 until his retirement in 1993. His favorite hobbies were genealogy, hunting, farming and enjoying the outdoors.
Dr. Roberts served on the First National Bank of Florence Board of Directors, Florence Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, served as ECM Hospital Chief of Staff, and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He also was an Eagle Scout.
Dr. Roberts was married to Marjorie Ann McGahey Roberts on June 2, 1954; they were marred for 58 years.
Dr. Roberts is survived by his wife, Marjorie Ann McGahey Roberts, Killen, Alabama; daughters Marjorie “Jorie” Rawls Roberts and husband James Daryl Dodson, St Thomas, Virgin Islands and Laura McGahey Roberts Wright, Richmond, Virginia, son Shaler Sinclair Roberts, III and wife Pamela Denise McGee Roberts, Florence, Alabama; Grandchildren Martha McGahey Wright, Washington, D.C., Marjorie Driver Dodson, Middletown, Connecticut, Laura Sinclair Wright, New Orleans, Louisiana, Travis McGahey Dodson, San Antonio, Texas, Virginia Maddux Wright, Alexandria, Virginia, Shaler Sinclair Roberts, IV, Florence, Alabama and Ruth Presley Roberts, Florence, Alabama; niece Martha Hubbard Marshall King, Eutaw, Alabama and nephew Robert Lee Marshall, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and first cousin Mary Ellen Roberts Haley, Monteagle, Tennessee.
Dr. Roberts was preceded in death by his parents Shaler Sinclair Roberts, Sr., M.D. and Mary Feemster Rawls Roberts, Florence, Alabama; sister Martha Elizabeth Roberts McBurney and her husband George William McBurney, Florence, Alabama and sister Mary Craig Roberts Marshall, Florence, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Northwest Alabama Community Health Association, Inc. 309-B Handy Homes, Florence, AL 35630; Presbyterian Home for Children, Resource Development, PO Drawer 577, Talladega, AL 35161; or United Methodist Children’s Home, Ministry Headquarters, 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, Alabama 36106-2607.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Lyman Mitchell, M.D., Felix Morris, M.D., John R. Reinke, M.D., Narasimha Boorgu, M.D., Subir Paul, M.D., Rajesh Boorgu, M.D., R. J. Webb, M.D. and the nurses and staff of The ECM Hospital Cardiac Care Unit and 6th Floor and Eldercare for their care, support and friendship.
Elkins Funeral Home, Florence, is assisting the family.
