James "Big Jim" Bryant Roberts, Sr.

James Bryant “Big Jim” Roberts Sr., 88 of Branford, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Malcolm Randall Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville. He was born in Trenton, Florida, the fifth child of eight to the late Daniel Nathan Roberts and Martha Elizabeth Harrlee Roberts. Mr. Roberts was raised in Trenton and attended Trenton High School before graduating from Georgia Christian School in Dasher, Georgia. He was a lifelong resident of the North Florida area and was a member of Burlington Santa Fe Church of Christ in Branford and a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Mr. Roberts was a true “Cattleman” and was a co-owner of R&O Cattle Company. He worked for many years as a cattle buyer for Lykes Bros. Inc. and also for many people including John Wayne, Reba McEntire and the Bellamy Brothers. Mr. Roberts was known to many as “Big Jim” and loved to fish and hunt in his spare time. Above all, he loved to spend time with his family and being “Papa” to his grandchildren and “Big Papa” to his great-grandchildren. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his parents; five siblings, Elizabeth Lee, Sparks Roberts, Eleanor Sapp, Catherine Campbell and Harrlee Roberts; and one grand-daughter, Amanda Barnes.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Geraldine “Jerri” Bagley Roberts of Branford; six children, Barri Harris (Frankie) and Jackie Barnes (Wesley) all of Branford, Larri Lynn Arnold (Bill) of Hatchbend, James B. “Jimbo” Roberts, Jr, Nathan Scott Roberts (Crystal) and Martha “Martie” Lewis (Kevin) all of Branford; two sisters, Sandra McClary Lloyd (Bobby) of Merritt Island and Glenda Moore of Sercy, AR; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and countless others that he raised also survive.

Graveside funeral services for Mr. Roberts will be conducted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Lake Butler, FL. Interment will follow.