James Allen Roberts of Matthews, North Carolina | 1941 – 2021 | Obituary

James Allen Roberts, 80, of Matthews, North Carolina, died Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Born in Bristol, Virginia, he was the oldest child of the late James Clapp Roberts and Billie Dungan Roberts.

A Celebration of Life for Mr. Roberts will be held at a later date.

Allen grew up in Bristol, Virginia and graduated from Bristol Virginia High School. He graduated from Virginia Tech with an Industrial Engineering Degree and from Widener University with a Master of Business Administration degree.

He went to work with the DuPont Company in Camden, South Carolina as an engineer and later transferred with DuPont to Wilmington, Delaware as a Business Analyst and then a Business Analysis Manager. After a long career with DuPont, Allen retired, then joined The Forum Corporation of Boston as a Director. Along with that came a move to Pittsburgh on a contract with Mellon Bank, where he became a vice-president. When Allen retired from Forum, he and Patty moved to Camden and got involved in volunteer work.

He was a Trustee and Elder in the Presbyterian Church and Treasure of Friends of the Kershaw County Library. After that he joined the Board of the Kershaw County Library and became Chair. Later he joined the Historic Landmarks Commission of Camden and became its Chair. He was also on the Board of the Historical Society and volunteered for many years in the food pantry of Christian Community Ministries.

In addition to volunteering, he liked the beach and the mountains. He liked to travel and visited numerous places in and outside the United States. He especially liked Europe, particularly Sicily, Italy. His favorite trip was to Turkey. He liked old historic houses and buildings, antique furniture and silver, a glass of good wine, the music of Mozart, and the Rolling Stones.

Allen is survived by Patricia, his wife and best friend of 55 years; daughters, Elizabeth Gern (Carl) and Susan Dinlocker (John); grandchildren, Erin Dinlocker, Chloe Gern, Will Gern, Emily Dinlocker, and Allison Dinlocker; and his sisters, Diane Francis (Joe) and Joan Jackson.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger brother, John Randolph Roberts.

Memorials may be made to Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 502 East Dekalb Street, Camden, SC 29020 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.