Services for Irvin Roberson, of Brookhaven, are 11 a.m. onSaturday, June 21, at St. James Missionary Baptist Church withburial in Hillcrest Cemetery. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home ofPontotoc is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Friday from 1:30 until 7 p.m. at the church withfamily hour from 6 until 7 p.m.

Mr. Roberson, 73, died June 17, 2008, from complications of cancerat his residence. He was born in Lincoln County on Dec.8, 1934, toJohn Roberson Sr. and Mary Laura Short Roberson.

He was the first black police officer for the City of Brookhaven.He retired after 30 years of service with a position of captain.Mr. Roberson also served as bailiff for the Lincoln County CourtSystems for 11 years. He also served in the U.S. Army. He was the2007 Citizen of the Year. Mr. Roberson loved church, family andpeople. He loved to cook and to fish. He also loved football. Hewas a member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church where he was adeacon.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his brothers, JohnRoberson Jr. and Lucky Roberson; his sisters, Mittie Black, BertealSailes and Lou Emma Roberson.

Survivors are his wife, Maude Roberson, of Brookhaven; his sons,Kenneth I. Roberson, of Oxford, and Darrin G. Roberson, of McComb;his daughter, Cora Y. Barze, of Brookhaven; his sisters, RubyRoberson, of Brookhaven, and Louise Dickey, of Hazlehurst; his sixgrandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.