Rodney Roberson

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Rodney James Roberson, age 61 of Joplin, Missouri entered the kingdom of heaven October 3, 2016.

He was born October 26, 1954 in Joplin, Missouri to Joseph K. and Catherine L. (Davis) Roberson.

James was an artist, teacher, portrait painter and a member of the New York Portrait Society. He graduated from Missouri Southern State University and while there he did cartoons for the campus paper, “The Chart”. He lived in the Springfield, Missouri area for many years and painted murals for many businesses and the city of Springfield, Missouri, as well as paintings and portraits for many of Springfield’s prominent citizens. He also filmed and produced a documentary, “In the Interest of National Security: He enlisted in the Marines and served from 1976 to 1978. He studied for his masters degree at Pittsburg State University.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Roberson, July 4, 2015.

James is survived by his daughter, Jessica Wright; one granddaughter, Audri, Joplin, Missouri; his mother Catherine Roberson, Bentonville, Arkansas; two brothers, Thomas Roberson and wife Gayle, Bentonville, Arkansas, Steve Roberson, Joplin, Missouri; two sisters, Johanna Busby and Beverly Myatt, both of Joplin, Missouri.

Memorial services will be 10:00 am Friday October 14, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with interment following at Osborne Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions are requested to the American Cancer Society or to St Mary’s Catholic Church and they may be sent in care of the mortuary.