Jerry Roberts last action as a school board member was carried out Tuesday night on what became a night of goodbyes — planned and unplanned.

Roberts, who was killed in a plane crash just over a week ago, would have been a returning board member in 2007.

But three of his colleagues were on their way out — by choice or voter’s choice — and Roberts wanted to honor them, Superintendent Kerry Laster said.

So in his place, Laster presented Melanie Watson, Jimmy Wilkinson and Lynn White with a plaque and words of gratitude.

But each board member turned all the words of praise back on Roberts.

“I really admire him and I’m going to miss him,” Watson said through tears.