Asa W Roberts

Pastor Emeritus Asa Wilson Roberts, 98, of Lower Burrell, transitioned to meet his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 18, 2017 while at home with his family. Asa W. Roberts was born on April 6, 1918, in Kirkland, Georgia to the late Rev. Grant and Delphia (Wells) Roberts. He served in the Army during World War II and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge. In 1945, upon returning home from the war, he moved to Detroit, MI where he married his high school sweetheart the late Egertha D. Taylor. He was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age. Throughout his young adult life he would continue to cultivate his spiritual relationship with God.  He displayed a relentless thirst for God and served faithfully in numerous ministries: as a member of the usher board, adult choir, Sunday school superintendent and Deacon Board, all under the leadership of the late Rev. Roosevelt T. Williams, pastor of the Community Baptist Church in Detroit. In sharing his story of calling and commitment, Pastor Roberts was often quoted as saying “the Lord ran him down while He (the Lord) was standing still.” It was at this point in his young adult life, that Pastor Roberts stopped running from God, surrendered to His will and finally accepted his call to the ministry. He became a Youth Pastor and enrolled in the Detroit Bible Institute where he earned a degree in Biblical Studies. His first pastoral assignment was to shepherd the Mt. Olive Baptist Church family of believers in Aliquippa, PA where he served faithfully as senior Pastor for seven years. In July of 1961, he was installed as the fourth pastor of the Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. In August of that year, he would move his wife and four children to New Kensington, PA. This would usher in the beginning of his long, storied tenure at Mt. Calvary and his active ministry involvement throughout the Allegheny-Kiski Valley. His ministry was one marked by sound doctrinal preaching and teaching, powerful and impactful life changing leadership, an unselfish ministry of giving to those in need and a passionate commitment for social justice. One of his signature quotations and uniquely identifying moments came when he was captured saying “Don’t call me reverend. I am a pastor!” A pastor is one who leads, guides and directs the body of believers, for the greater good of all. Pastor Roberts loved God and His word. Because of this, he taught countless Bible studies, preached innumerable sermons, married many couples, christened plenty of babies, and tried to help EVERYONE and ANYONE who would seek his assistance. After 53 years of faithful service with Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, he provided notice of retirement and was honored as Pastor Emeritus in July of 2014. Subsequently, on November 16, 2014 the City of New Kensington renamed the 1100 block of Fourth Avenue “Asa W. Roberts Way” in honor of his dedication, commitment and servant leadership to the New Kensington-Arnold community.He was the loving father of Cynthia Jean Rodgers (Clinton, MD), Jacqueline (Ronald) Simmons (Arnold), Asa W. (Cherise) Roberts, Jr. (Houston, TX); devoted grandfather to Rosetta Johnson (New Kensington), Tracy Johnson (Johnstown, PA), Djanté (Tiawain) Rodgers and Nyitre (Ethan) Rodgers Pennil (both of Upper Marlboro, MD), Larry Simmons (Pittsburgh), Lawrence Simmons (Houston, TX), and Joshua Simmons (Corpus Christi, TX);  and dedicated great-grandfather to Benjamin Johnson (New Kensington), Djanté, Jr. and Londyn Rodgers, and Kai Makal (all of Upper Marlboro, MD); dear brother to Myrtice (EJ) Regulus (Waycross, GA); caring uncle, cousin, and friend to dozens. He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Grant and Delphia Roberts; his wife of 50 years Egertha (Taylor) Roberts; his daughter, Marian Jeannette Roberts; his brothers: Alvin “Fat”, Grant, Jr., and William Roberts; his sisters: Ollie B. (Roberts) Thornton and Beulah Mae (Roberts) Peake.Friends and relatives will be received from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2017, at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church 1150 Fourth Avenue (Asa Roberts Way) New Kensington, where a Praise and Reflection Service will be held from 6-7 p.m., during visitation hours. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the church. Arrangements  provided by ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME; 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA., 724.335.1234.  To leave an online condolence, please visit us at rossgwalker.com.

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