Obituary of Allan "Cotton" Roberts

Allan “Cotton” Roberts

          On Friday, October 6, 2023, Allan “Cotton” Roberts sat down for a quick nap after working on his new home.  He fell asleep peacefully in Jesus and woke up in Glory.

            Cotton was born July 24, 1949, in Kingsport, TN. He attended Ketron High School and earned a Bachelor of Business Degree from Steed College. He was proud to serve his country in the US Army as a Pershing Missile Crewman stationed in Ulm, Germany.

            Cotton began his career at Eastman Chemical Company at an entry level position and retired as a Senior Team Manager, receiving several Presidential and Suggestion Awards. After retiring, he and his wife Vickie began their entrepreneurial adventures by opening The Family Bakery in Gate City, VA. The community embraced the bakery, sparking his dedication to the revitalization of the town. Cotton and Vickie went onto open two more businesses downtown and renovated two other properties for retail development. He was a founding member of the 501c3 nonprofit Gate City Frontier and served for over a decade as a Gate City Town Councilman, including a term as Vice Mayor.

            In 1973 Cotton yielded his life to God when a preacher at Eastman took his hand and quoted the Bible verse of the prodigal son. His life was forever changed. Cotton served as a deacon at First Baptist Church Gate City, started the RA program for boys and was active in the Upward Basketball program for many years as a Coach and referee. Serving as the hands and feet of Christ, Cotton worked with World Changers on the mission field in Alabama, North Carolina and New Orleans, Louisiana.

            When his children were young, Cotton coached Colonial Heights Optimist Football and AABC travel baseball teams. He believed in coaching kids to be winners.  After moving to Gate City, Cotton became a Blue Devil fan. He loved the forever friends he made while cheering on the teams and was proud of his sons and nephews’ contribution to the Gate City legacy.

            Cotton and Vickie were true soul mates and partners in all they did. They were blessed to renovate and improve upon sixteen different properties, always leaving each better than they found it. Their 45 years together were spent raising a family, traveling with their best friends Doug and Bitsy Humphreys and always working side by side on a project.

            Cotton is preceded in death by his parents Simon and Kathleen Roberts and his brother Dale Roberts.

 Left to mourn for him are the love of his life, his wife of 45 years, Vickie Jones Roberts; daughter Elizabeth BreeAnn (Hunter) Bledsoe, sons Aaron Allen (Lindsay) Roberts and Christopher Hunter Roberts. Siblings Garry (Judy) Roberts, Sheila Dykes, Carl (Rhonda) Roberts, Karen Woods, Sharon (Mike) Barger, Paul (Scottie) Roberts, Doug (Bitsy) Humphreys and numerous nieces and nephews.

Grandchildren Cole Smith, Hayden Smith, River Roberts, Kai Bledsoe and Jax Bledsoe. Your Poppy loved each of you so much, believed in your greatness and was always your biggest fan.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City, VA. Services will follow at 7:00 pm with Pastor Scott Vermillion officiating. Music will be provided by GCUPC Praise Team.

Military graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Mountain Home National Cemetery, Historic Side, 53 Memorial Ave, Mountain Home, TN 37684 with American Legion Hammond Post 3/265 providing the honors. Family and friends planning to attend are asked to assemble at 10:50 am at the cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Will Humphreys, Luke Humphreys, Clint Roberts, Kevin Jenkins, Bryan Roberts and David Williamson.

Honorary pallbearers Doug Humphreys, Bret Roberts, Brandon Woods, James White, Pete Barbour and his Deacon Brothers at First Baptist Church of Gate City.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gate City Frontier ATTN Gate City Theater Project. Cotton began working to restore the theater eight years ago. Though they encountered many obstacles along the way, he has always believed in its importance as a centerpiece for the town. All contributions received will help further Cotton’s dream. To contribute please click here

Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.