SFC Hercules Roberts

August 13, 1940 - August 23, 2017

Hercules Costello Roberts was born on August 13, 1940 to the late Douglass Roberts and Katie Crenshaw Roberts in Crenshaw Community. He accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of Mount Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church until his health prevented his regular attendance. As a child, Hercules attended the Union Rosenwald School in the Crenshaw Community and went on to graduate from the Elmore County Training School in Wetumpka, Alabama. After high school, he joined the United States Army were he served for Twenty- two years. Hercules served in many capacities while in the Army including as a dental assistant and a dental laboratory technician specializing in crown and bridgework. Upon retirement, he attended Drake Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama and Alabama State University. He began his second career at Tuskegee Veterans Hospital and retired from the Central Alabama Veteran Health Care System East Campus after twenty years as a dental lab technician and safety specialist. Hercules was a lifetime member of the Hermon Lodge #260, as was a custom of males in the community to join at age eighteen, he enjoyed this service and fellowship for fifty- nine years. He was also a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Association. Hercules was united in marriage to Doris Jean Crosby Roberts on October 31, 1960. To this union three children were born; Douglas Harold (Elaine) Roberts, Yuna Roberts and Lani Roberts Hollenquest. He and Doris also have five cherished grandchildren: Alexandria Roberts, Douglas Costello Roberts, Danielle Braswell, Eric Hercules Roberts and Haley Kalani Hollenquest. He has three sisters: Douglas Ann Alexander, Fay (David) Lewis, and San Latimore (Cleveland Calloway). His devoted extended family includes; brothers in law- Joe Billy (Callie) Crosby, James (Juliette) Crosby, Isom Crosby and Walter (Lula) Crosby. Sisters in law are Sadie Haywood, Cora Crosby Francis, Sue (Murphy) Bonner, Mamie Long, Patricia Long, Margery Crosby and Vivian Crosby. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to cherish his memory.