Ralph Roberts, 91, widow of Alixe Roberts, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025. He was born November 2, 1933, in Panther, West Virginia to the late Buck and Bessie Armstrong Roberts.

He was a graduate of Wayland High School in Floyd County, and Pikeville College. He was a longtime teacher and coached from 1960 -1990, one of the most successful Basketball coaches in Kentucky state history winning over 600 games, including numerous district tournaments. A member of the 12th r and 13th region basketball hall of fame, the Letcher County and Mountain sports hall of fame, Kentucky Association of Basketball Court of Honor. Coaching at Fleming Neon. McCeary , Cumberland, and Prestonburg. Is biggest accomplishment in his life was when he took Jesus Christ as is personal Lord and Savior.

In addition to parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jack Roberts, Ted Roberts, Kenneth Roberts, and Bucky Roberts.

Special thanks to Hands in Hand for taking such great care of Coach Roberts.

Ralph will be remembered by his son, Fr. Steve Roberts, Versailles, Kentucky.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Monday July 7, 2025, at Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm following visitation. Burial will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Calvary Cemetery, Lexington where pallbearers will be Stan Pennington, Mike Dunaway, Jody Gluck, Darrell Denney, Mike Ross, and Tim Stephens. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Don Ross, Larry Davis, Brian Koger, and Charles Adams.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested to St. Stephen's Catholic Church Food Bank, 304 Central Street Cumberland, Kentucky 40823 or any organization that helps feed the poor.

Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and leave messages of condolence here on Coach Roberts's tribute wall.

Obituary Courtesy of Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home.