Edward T. "Pete" Roberts' Obituary
Edward Taylor Roberts, affectionately known as Pete and the mayor of Loudoun Street was born on December 23, 1928 on Edwards Ferry Road in Leesburg, VA. He moved to Loudoun St when he was five and lived in the area known as Roberts Row on Loudoun St for almost 80 years until his death on February 21, 2012. He broke his leg when he was three years old and his older siblings started calling him “peg leg Pete” and thus the nickname “Pete”.
Pete was educated in Loudoun County public schools and served his country in the United States Army and was a proud WWII veteran.
He spent many years working in construction and as an avid horseman also worked at Catoctin Stud in Waterford, VA for many years where he had the pleasure of working with the 1980 Kentucky Derby winner Genuine Risk. After he left the Catoctin Stud he worked as a handyman for many downtown Leesburg businesses including the law firm Burnett & Williams and could be seen regularly at Market Station. Pete walked most places he went in downtown Leesburg and as a young boy even walked from Leesburg to Lucketts every year on Easter Monday to explore the vast karst caves there with some of his brothers and friends. He loved the Loudoun County Raiders Girls Basketball team and was their number one fan especially when his granddaughter Kendra was on the team and continued to follow every game even after she graduated. Pete was a family man above all else and he especially loved spending time sharing stories with his family and friends while sitting on his front porch or out in the backyard in front of his green shed adorned with many antique tools that had been used generations earlier by his grandfather who was a carpenter.
Pete was the inspiration behind the annual Roberts’ Family Fish Fry-an end of summer family tradition that continued nonstop for almost 20 years until his illness, the illness of his brother Alec and death of his brother Richard in a short span of time in 2010. With the love and support of his family, friends and healthcare team Pete regained much of his life back and went on to resume activities he enjoyed doing like walking on Loudoun St and to the 7-Eleven for his daily Pic 3s and scratch offs, tending his beloved wheelbarrow of impatiens, painting his white picket fence and putting on the biggest outdoor Christmas display ever this past Christmas.
Pete is preceded in death by his wife Yvonne “Bonnie” Roberts, son Marty Roberts, his parents Edward “DaddyEd” and Irene “GaGa” Roberts, his brothers Wilson, Vondell, John, Richard and sister Helen Dade. He leaves to cherish his memory and share wonderful stories daughters Gennell Roberts, Debbie Holmes (Lloyd, Jr), a son Steve Roberts, grandchildren Tyrone Holmes, Heather Timbers, Kim Timbers, Kendra Holmes, great grandson Matthew John Maley, sister Mary Lee Perry, brothers James “Jimmy” Roberts (Peggy), Charles “Charlie” Roberts (Rayn), Alec Roberts (Janice) and Thomas “Tojo” Roberts (Pearl) who along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends will cherish his memory forever.
Friends may call on Friday, February 24th 2012 from 7-9pm at the First Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 216 Loudoun Street in Leesburg, VA. Funeral Services will follow at the church on Saturday at 11:00am with Rev. Harold S. Stinger officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Zion Community Cemetery in Leesburg.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lights of Love- The Ladies Board, P.O. Box 6115, Leesburg, VA 20178.
What’s your fondest memory of Edward?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edward?
Share a story where Edward's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edward you’ll never forget.
How did Edward make you smile?
