Frances Roberts

Frances King Roberts, age 99, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025 in Lake City, Florida. Frances was born in High Springs on July 24, 1926 to John Ball King and Rebecca Alexander King.

Frances attended school in High Springs, married Thomas Edwin Roberts, Sr., and moved to Gainesville where they raised their five children. She also worked for the University of Florida in the Accounts Payable department. In the 1980’s, she began supporting the football team of Buchholz High School when her youngest son, Bill, played for the team. This began a decades-long connection which allowed her to interact with hundreds of young men and women connected to the school and all of the athletic teams. When she was home, Frances enjoyed working in her yard, caring for her dogs, and baking desserts to share with friends.

Frances leaves behind to cherish her memory four sons and one daughter: Norman and his wife Kandy (Clifton, Tennessee); Randy and his wife Brenda (Dothan, Alabama); Thom and his wife Brenda (St. Petersburg, Florida); Patti and her husband Tim (Gainesville, FL); and Bill and his wife Lori (Gainesville, FL). She was “Granny” to 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Frances was pre-deceased by her parents John and Rebecca King, her husband Ed Roberts, her sister Elizabeth Chew, and her sister Nell Higginbotham.

Graveside services for Frances will be held at High Springs Cemetery on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local charity or school.