Dr. Don Roberts

On the morning of September 4, 2017, Dr. Don Roberts completed his journey on Earth. It was a life well lived.

Don was born on a tobacco farm in Hazlehurst, Georgia in 1950 to Austin and Vera Roberts. Growing up on the farm, Don learned the value of hard work, and cemented the core values and a faith in Jesus that would guide him for the remainder of his life. Though the farm in southern Georgia always held a place close to his heart, his true calling was education.

Don started at Auburn University in the fall of 1968. Over the course of his career he would complete bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the institution. Education was his life’s work, and he was excellent at it. Don was a teacher and coach, first in Auburn City Schools, then at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, before moving to Opelika in 1985. It was during his time in Opelika that he transitioned into administration. Don served first as assistant principal, and then as principal at Opelika High School for 9 years. After 2 years at Harris County High School in Harris County, Georgia, Don returned to Lee County, where he was the headmaster at Lee-Scott Academy for the final 16 years of his career.

While an undergraduate at Auburn University, Don met the love of his life, Lorna. They married July 28, 1973 and spent the rest of his life together. Don and Lorna had an amazing marriage. They had a son, Michael, and a daughter, Allyson. They raised their children to be faithful servants of the living God, and modeled a marriage of passion, partnership, and respect. A man has never loved a woman more than Don loved Lorna.

Unfortunately, Don developed pancreatic cancer, diagnosed in April of 2016. He saw this as an opportunity to help others who had a cancer diagnosis. He was open about his treatments, his victories and his struggles. He handled chemotherapy with dignity. In spite of failing health, he never lost his positive attitude. After a short hospitalization, Don passed away, surrounded by the family he had loved so well. The world lost a good man that day.

Don is survived by his wife, Lorna (Sutton) Roberts; his children, Michael Roberts (wife Nicole), and Allyson Schnarr (husband Brian); his grandchildren, Austin Roberts, Luke Roberts, Livi Schnarr, and Charli Schnarr; his sister, Cheryl Lovett; and brother, Gary Roberts.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate the incredible life of Dr. Don Roberts on Saturday, September 9th, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Highlands, 2001 East Samford Avenue in Auburn, Alabama. A reception will be held after the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Center of East Alabama at EAMC, to Lee-Scott Academy Performing Arts Center, or to St. Joseph’s Indian School (www.stjo.org)

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