Mr. Jesse A. Roby

Obituary Jesse Andrew Roby was born on Saturday, February 20, 1932 in Lehigh, Oklahoma to William Henry and Catherine Hulland Roby. His parents, three brothers, Willie, Charlie, and Frank; two sisters Vivian and Emma; two children John and Antoshia preceded him in death. Jesse accepted Christ and was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church in Lehigh. He was a graduate of Booker T, Washington High School in Coalgate Oklahoma. Jesse was on the school’s basketball team. Growing up on a farm was both fun and work. Every morning before going to school the boys had to feed the outside animals and the girls did the inside cleaning and cooking. As a boy Jesse and his brothers delivered the local newspaper. Jesse moved to Kansas City in 1950 to get a better job and make a better living. For several years he did a little of everything – worked at a tannery where animal hides were tanned; delivered cars and washed cars. Finally in 1970 he got a job at Farmland Battery Plant. He worked there for 24 years until the plant was sold in 1991 and he was forced to retire. After retiring, Jesse developed a love for gardening. He and his sister, Emma had a garden in her back yard off Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas. They raised greens, okra, green beans, and tomatoes. They also raised hogs, turkeys, chickens, and rabbits. He later raised a garden on Third and Rowland across the street from his sister, Margaret. His last garden was planted for him this year across the street from his house on Rowland Avenue by his nephew Willie, Jr and son, Brett. He was able to roll across the street in his wheelchair to look at the garden. Jesse had a great love for music. Every Friday night he would either be in the basement or on the back porch playing his blues. He had over 300 cassette tapes, eight tracks, 45’s, 78’s and LP’s. He also had a great love for Chevrolet cars. He has owned a 1939 Chevrolet Deluxe Town Sedan; a 1946 Fleet Master Coupe; 1961 Bel Air Sedan; 1976 Impala; and two chevy vans. 1n 1982 Jesse’s brother, Bennie and another church member decided to play match makers. They introduced Jesse and Gertrude via telephone and the rest is history. Jesse and Gertrude have shared 39 &1/2 years of love, friendship, and marriage. Before Jesse’s health deteriorated in 2019, He and Gertrude traveled every year to Texas and Oklahoma as well 10 states in addition to taking five cruises. Jesse slept away into eternity Thursday morning, August 19 at his home, in his bed and with his wife next to him. Now there are no more needles, no more tubes and no more machines. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Gertrude; seven children, Chaquita Roby, Jesse Roby, Jr., Sarita Cann; Brett Moore (Renee), Miriam Whitmire (Aric), Mark Moore (Ana), Terrence Collins and Vernen Collins; one brother, Bennie Roby(Lisa); two sisters, Margaret Reed, and Ada Roby; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren, one great, great grandson and many, many nephews, nieces and friends. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021,12:00pm at Grace Abound Community Church. Interment Highland Park Cemetery, KCK. Visitation will be from 10am-12pm at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Jesse A. Roby, please visit our floral store. Read More

Mr. Jesse A. Roby

February 20, 1932 - August 19, 2021