New Iberia - A Celebration of Life will be held for Mr. Kenneth Barnard Roberts on Tuesday August 4, 2015 at 3:00pm at Highland Baptist Church with Rev. David Jefferies to serve as the Celebrant. He will be laid to rest at Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will take place at David Funeral Home beginning at 9:00am and conclude at 2:30pm, before service time. A native of Logansport, La and longtime resident of New Iberia, Mr. Roberts was called home to heaven on Sunday August 2, 2015 at 12:55am. Mr. Roberts proudly served in the United States Army. During World War II, he fought across France, Germany, and Austria with the 42nd Rainbow Division. He was wounded in combat in Nuremberg, Germany and hospitalized for 30 days before rejoining his outfit just east of Munich. He and his Rainbow Division helped with the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp in Southern Tyrol in Austria, near Brenner Pass at the war's end. After World War II Mr. Roberts was Honorably Discharged and for his dedicated and bravery he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, North Africa-European Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star. Mr. Roberts made a lasting impression on people, always smiling and offering up a few of his favorite sayings. When asked how he felt, he'd say, "I'm still above ground", or "As long as I can put one foot in front of the other I'm doing alright". When asked if he needed something he'd say, "Just a smile and a kind word". Mr. Roberts lived a long life, 91 years, because of his spiritual beliefs and the desire to be able to share his wisdom with family and friends. In all aspects of life, Mr. Roberts was a man of faith and a leader. He was a Charter Member of Highland Baptist Church. He was a passionate man and took great pride as a Pipeline Union Welder. But his greatest passion was and always will be his family. Left to cherish his memory were his daughters, Ora Faye Blanchard, Magda Sonnier and her husband Carl and Coleen Ritter and her husband Randy all of New Iberia; his son, Tommy Roberts and his wife Barbara of New Iberia; his brother, Ted Roberts and his wife Alice of Shreveport; his sister, Shirley McGlathery of Logansport; sixteen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ora Lee Broussard Roberts; his father, Marvin Roberts; his mother, Gladys Barnard Roberts; his daughter, Martelle Roberts Broussard and her infant; his brother, Glenn Roberts; his grandchild, Todd Broussard and his son-in-law, Nathan Blanchard. Pallbearers will be Stoney Blanchard, Shane Roberts, Ryan Roberts, Kylan Roberts, Desmond Ritter, Barrett Menard, Quentin Blanchard and Hayden Poche'. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Broussard, Brandon Sonnier, Rocky Blanchard, Bart Sonnier and Asa Broussard. You can express condolences by signing the online guest register book and / or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. (337)369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.
