Nov. 24, 1928 – Aug. 29, 2018

RAYVILLE, La. — Services celebrating the life of Fred E. Robertson, 89, who died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Start Baptist Church in Rayville, La.
Graveside services will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home in Rayville.   
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
Mr. Robertson was born Nov. 24, 1928, the youngest son of Oscar Brothers Robertson and Jimmie Deal Robertson.
He was born in his maternal grandfather’s home, but when he lost his parents as an infant, his grandfather, James Deal, became the only father he knew. He learned a number of things from his grandfather, from plowing with mules to serving the Lord. When his grandfather drove from Weir to Start, for the first time, Robertson was his traveling companion. In God’s providential way, Robertson met his future bride on that trip. On the day he met her, he walked Aline Adams down what would one day be known as Brimberry Road. From that day forward, Robertson was smitten. He and Aline married Sept. 12, 1947. He and Aline immediately moved to St. Louis, Mo., where they both were employed. A few years later, however, their deep family roots called them back to Louisiana. There they began their family — first with son, James, and then daughter, Sondra. Family, however, was not the only call on Robertson and Aline’s life. In 1952, he and Aline’s heavenly Father called them both to ministry. With a commitment born of their faith in God and His work in their lives, Robertson and Aline and their two small children moved to Mississippi College in Clinton, to complete their education in preparation for their ministry. Robertson and Aline both worked and finished their degrees. They eventually worked and studied their way through master degrees at New Orleans Theological Seminary. Robertson began his pastoral ministry during Mississippi College days with Aline a full partner in his ministry. The mutual call on their lives and their unequivocal love for each other knitted them into a capable, blessed ministry team. Robert and Aline’s ministry called them to Zebedee, Mer Rouge, Hebron, Union, Parkway Natchez, Canton First Baptist, Horseshow Drive Alexandria and Bowmar Vicksburg, with long term ministries in Natchez and Vicksburg. Robertson also served in leadership positions as vice president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, trustee at Mississippi College and president of regional pastors’ association. Even after his official retirement, Robertson served in interim positions in the northeast area of Louisiana.
Robertson was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, James and Margaret Deal; four brothers, Oscar “Buddy” Robertson, Ed Robertson, John Robertson and James Deal; and one sister, Mary Deal Sutherland and husband, Glenn.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Aline Adams Robertson; one son, James Robertson and wife, Nylene, of Tallahassee, Fla.; one daughter, Sondra Dowdle and husband, Jim, of Columbus; four grandchildren, Dara Ritter and husband, Sam, of Saltillo, Dade and wife, Joy, of Houston, Rob and wife, Megan, of Columbus and Jed and wife, Kate, of Rising Fawn, Ga.; and 11 great-grandchildren, Reid, Landry, Reagan, Audrey, Jay, Jack, Chloe, Sophia, Charlotte, Peyton and Tanner.
Pallbearers will be Dade Dowdle, Jed Dowdle, Rob Dowdle, Sam Ritter, Paul Robertson, Bennie Robertson and Michael Walker.
Honorary pallbearers will be all ordained ministers.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to Start Baptist Church Building Fund.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at mulhearnfuneralhome.com.