Ray V. Roberson

Ray V. Roberson, 87, of Urbana passed away Monday, June 29, 2015 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Born October 6, 1927 in Tiskilwa, Illinois, he was the son of Edwin and Ina Mae (Wade) Roberson. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Dorothy McDaniels who died in 2001. Later he married Cheryl Forth on May 9, 2009 at the Cowboy Church in Deland. She survives. Also surviving is one son, Larry (Kara) Roberson or Urbana; one daughter, Cheryl (Les) Black of Urbana; five step daughters, Angela Campbell of Pigeon Forge, TN, Michelle (Terry) Gibbs-Grice of Thomasboro, Shawn (Joe) Chesnut of Bement, IL, Tammy Gibbs of Pigeon Forge, TN and Tina (Ross) Cooper of Pigeon Forge, TN; eighteen grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; 24 great-great grandchildren; and four great-great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Dorothy; a son, Eddie Roberson; a daughter, Chariste Walls; a brother, LaVerne Roberson; and a sister, Deloros Moore. Ray loved sports of all kinds! His first love was stock car racing in his younger years. He loved the Illini, Bears & Chicago White Sox but his biggest sporting interest was Women's slow pitch softball. He coached for 32 years winning over 1600 games. His team won the State class "A" title in 1987 and he was inducted into the State Softball Hall of Fame in 2004. Ray also loved gardening and sharing his produce with everyone! A service to celebrate Ray's life will be held at 12 pm Saturday, July 11, 2015 at Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church, 1913 S. Mattis Ave in Champaign. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, at the church. Memorials may be made in Ray's memory to Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St. in Champaign.