LOUISA — Edward Newman Roberts, 79, of Louisa, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.  

He was born Jan. 6, 1934, a son of the late Ercell and Ada Mae Clay Roberts. Newman was the dedicated and loving husband of Toby Compton Roberts for 57 years. They were married on April 2, 1955, in Vanceburg.

Newman was a master of lots of trades, including a journeyman, master plumber and carpenter. His hobbies included building birdhouses, cabinets and many types of furniture that can be found in use in all of his family’s homes. Newman was never without an idea for a new project, and his family and friends would profess he could repair anything that needed fixing. He considered one of his greatest accomplishments plumbing and wiring a large log cabin for his nephew, Jack Compton. It gave him great joy looking back on the work he did on that cabin and seeing what he created with his own hands.

Newman retired from Calgon Carbon’s Big Sandy Plant after 23 years of service in the maintenance department.

Newman loved being at home, watching “Law & Order,” eating peanut butter on Town House crackers with caffeine-free diet Pepsi. The love for his home showed in his diligent work in maintaining the house and grounds surrounding his Watermelon Hill home, where he lived for more than 36 years. His passion was raising a large garden and flowers during the summer. He was a quiet, loving family man, and from time to time enjoyed getting a joke on his grandchildren and especially his wife. He was known as “Paw” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was fondly referred to as “Paw Newman.”

Most of all, Newman loved the Lord. He worked tirelessly for many months in helping build Lighthouse Free Will Baptist Church, and after the church was completed, he continued as a faithful worshipper and member since its organization in 2001. In 2010, the church made him an honorary deacon. His recent illness kept him from attending Sunday school and church services as much as he wanted. In the past, he was a member of Louisa Free Will Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for 38 years. He was a Kentucky colonel.  

Survivors include his wife, Toby Ann Compton Roberts; three daughters, Robin (Karl) Adkins of Louisa, Kim (Rick) Chaffins of Louisa and Suzie (Jamie) Harlan of Nashville, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Annie Adkins (John) Johnson of Ashland, Aaron (Laura Beth) Adkins of Lexington, Michael Akers, Adam Chaffins, Joey Harlan and Jesse Harlan, all of Nashville; two brothers, Jack (Mary) Roberts and Lofton (Vera) Roberts; a sister, Mona (Ross) Chaffin; and brothers Ralph Roberts and Bill Roberts.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be all the men, young and old, who worshipped with him at Lighthouse Free Will Baptist Church.  

Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the building fund of Lighthouse Free Will Baptist Church in Louisa.

Condolences may be sent to wilsonfuneralhomeky.com.