Longtime S.C. editor John Roberts dies

John Roberts, the longest-serving editor in the history of The Baptist Courier, died Aug. 15. He was 85.

Roberts, of Shelby, N.C., graduated from Gardner-Webb College, Furman University and the Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He joined the Courier staff in 1965 as associate editor and business manager. The following year he became editor and held the job until his retirement in 1996.

Roberts served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1979–80. He was chairman of trustees for the former Radio and Television Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and president of the Southern Baptist Press Association (now the Association of State Baptist Papers). He served on the board of directors of Associated Baptist Press. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C. Roberts is survived by his wife, Helen, six children and eight grandchildren.