Vernard Roberts Sr

Vernard Thomas Roberts, Sr. was born February 11, 1935 to the late Vernel and Emma Roberts in Galveston, Texas. Vernard attended elementary and high school in his beloved Texas. He majored in Clinical Psychology and was the first student at Fisk University to receive the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at the same time. He married his soulmate, Margaret Mills and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity for which he served in the position of Strategus. In 1957, he joined the staff of Central State Mental Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia. After a 5-hour telephone interview with the late Alberta B. Turner, Ph.D., Vernard moved his family to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked with delinquent children at the Juvenile Diagnostic Center. He also opened his private practice which he continued for thirty years. Vernard was a consultant for Franklin County Children’s Services, St. Vincent Family Center, and the Franklin County Juvenile Court. He supervised over 100 interns working toward their license in psychology. In addition to his active fraternity involvement, Vernard was also a member of The Carateers, the Ohio Psychological Association, the Black Psychologists Association, and he volunteered with the Columbus Urban League in various marches to better the lives of Blacks in the community. He enjoyed listening to jazz, watching The History Channel, and playing pranks. As his vision became impaired, he relied on his wife to get him from place to place, but his humor remained strong. On Friday, November 18, 2016, at the age of 81, Vernard T. Roberts, Sr. departed this earthly life while at Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus. He leaves to cherish his teachings and philosophies, his beloved wife, Margaret Mills Roberts; son Vernard T. Roberts, II; daughter Sharon (Kevin) Rose of Berkeley, California; two grandchildren, Marshanna Roberts and Kian Rose; two great grandchildren, Aniyah Roberts and Kajuan Brown, Jr.; and a host of other relatives and friends.