Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • December 10, 2021 24 Deacon Truett Roberts lived fullness of the Gospel in his life BY TERRANCE P. DICKSON Deacon G. Truett Roberts Jr., 68, of Hattiesburg, passed away Thursday, Nov. 25, at home after an extended illness. Deacon Truett was born July 13, 1953, to Big Truett and Elizabeth Roberts in Belzoni, MS. Deacon Truett graduated from Humphreys Academy, and later earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Mississippi State University, followed by a Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law. Deacon Truett and the love of his life, Deles, made their home in Indianola, MS, where they were members of Immaculate Conception Parish. Deacon Truett was in private practice and later worked as the in-house attorney for Lewis Grocery Company and later Supervalu Foods. In 1999, Deacon Truett and his family moved to Hattiesburg, where he worked for York Developments and later with the General Counsel’s Office at the University of Southern Mississippi until his retirement in 2018. Deacon Truett was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Biloxi by Bishop Roger Morin in 2013. He faithfully served as deacon at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and then St. Fabian Parish. He never tired of spending time with his eight grandchildren who affectionately called him “G.” He was an avid tennis player, loved Mississippi State sports, and always cheered for the Saints. He was preceded in death by his parents, Big Truett and Elizabeth Roberts; his father-in-law, Tom Royal; his grandson, Joey Lee; and his sisters, Bettye Lou Gilpin and Trudy Peden. He is survived by his wife, Deles Roberts of Hattiesburg; his sons, Jason (Jaeyoun) Roberts of Lakeland, FL, Brent (Jessica) Roberts of Madison, and Hall (Jackie) Roberts of Athens, GA; his daughter, Sarah (Ken) Cavanagh of Petal; 8 grandchildren; his sister, Diane Allen of Meridian; His mother-in-law, Sara Jo Royal of Hattiesburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Nov. 29, at St. Fabian Catholic Church. Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III was the principal celebrant and Father GodfreyAndoh was the homilist. Interment was at Highland Cemetery in Hattiesburg. Shortly after arrival as the new parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Father Godfrey received an invitation from Deacon Truett to come over for his first taste of Southern barbecue. “He extended that invitation to me to come to his home when he didn’t know me from Adam,” said Father Godfrey. “Here I am, this black dude in Mississippi being invited by this man to his home. Upon reflection, what stood out to me was because he was a man of faith, he saw beyond color. He saw another man who represented God. He saw a fellow Christian, a brother in Christ.” What stood out most to Father Godfrey about Deacon Truett was the fact that he was “a very simple and very humble man.” “If there is any virtue in the Bible we can use to describe him, there would be two words: meek and humble,” said Father Godfrey. “That’s what he always exempli- fied with his life. He exuded that in all he did.” Father Godfrey also recounted one of the things Deacon Truett dreaded when he responded to the call to the permanent diaconate was standing before people and talking about God. “He was very uneasy about it, because he rec- ognized the enormousness of the one he was repre- senting and did not belittle it,” said Father Godfrey. “He cherished it and saw himself privileged to be able to do that on behalf of God. He was a servant of God through and through.” Ultimately, Father Godfrey said, Deacon Truett adhered to the advice of St. Francis of Assisi who said “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” “That sums up the work and the call and the service of Truett,” Father Godfrey continued. “He lived by example. He spoke less about the Gospel. He lived the fullness of it in his life.” Acknowledging the tremendous loss at the passing of Deacon Roberts, Bishop Kihneman added, “While his loss is very real, it’s also a consolation to us who believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. “It changes everything and it changed Truett’s life in a profound way,” Bishop Kihneman continued. “That’s what he lived for in the last few years, meeting Jesus in the Resurrection.” St. Fabian pastor Father Tommy Conway was in Ireland to officiate at a wedding and unable to participate in Deacon Truett’s Mass of Christian Burial. However, he remembered Deacon Truett as “a family man, a church man and a gentleman.” “He loved his family. He loved Deles, his children and his grandchildren,” said Father Tommy. “He loved his Catholic faith. He loved his family at St. Fabian and everyone at St. Fabian loved him. “Being a deacon was not something he wanted but he certainly felt called by God and loved it. In fact, during his illness, he often lamented not being able to fulfill his ministry.” Deacon Truett Roberts Wishing you the Love, Peace and Happiness that the true meaning of Christmas brings.