During world War II, the Beauregard Parish Fair was cancelled. In 1946 it was resurrected. Arsene Stuart (our mayor) and my father (Sam Roberts, Jr.) wrote a song entitled "Come to the Beauregard Parish Fair." They climbed on the back of a truck and sang their song up and down every dirt road in Beauregard Parish. It must have been a decent performance: The fair is still with us.

I am a fifth generation native of Beauregard Parish. My great grandfather, J. S. Roberts, served on DeRidder's first city council. My grandfather, Sam T. Roberts Sr., practiced medicine in DeRidder for fifty-one years. My parents, Sam and Loraine Roberts, practiced optometry in DeRidder for forty-two years. My great, great grandfather, Joab Roberts, came to this area from South Carolina. I really don't know much about him, but I am aware that many people who came here from South Carolina were run out of that state for one misdemeanor or another. Genealogy can be a humbling thing, but I suspect we can say that, in one way or another, the Roberts family has been serving DeRidder as long as there have been people here.
Martha Lou and Ron Roberts
Martha Lou and Ron Roberts
Martha Lou taught high school for thirty-seven years. Her mantra: "Students, there's a world out there."

Work History:
I have taught in three universities. In addition, I have served as a college coach, athletic director, development director, and public relations director. In 1979 I returned to DeRidder and opened the first Edward Jones office here. From 1992 until my retirement in 1997, I was the Director of Corporate Relations at Amerisafe.

State Affiliations:
1988--The Governor's Transition Team for Education
1988-92--Board of Trustees for Louisiana Colleges and Universities
1988-92--Board of Trustees of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
1992--The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry's Council on Education
Past Member of Development Board Louisiana College
Past Member of Alumni Board Baylor University

Education:
1962 DeRidder High School--Diploma
1965 Baylor University--B.A.
1970 Baylor University--Ph.D.
Additional graduate work at Tulane University and the University of Texas

Professional Certifications:
Securities License--Series Six
Securities License--Series Seven
Insurance License--Life
Insurance License--Property and Casualty
Real Estate License--Broker
American Arbitration Association--Certified Arbitrator

Local Affiliations:
Past member and president of the Beauregard Parish Library Board
Past member and president of the Beauregard Parish Tourist Commission
Committee to Save First Street School
Committee to Save USO
Committee to Save Gothic Jail
FEMA's Louisiana Recovery Team
Chamber of Commerce
First United Methodist Church

What I've Been Reading (Send me your favorites;we'll post them.)
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Something I Believe
A good story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The history of DeRidder is a story. Fifty years from now, some historian will realize that in the year 2005 DeRidder was just about in the middle of its story. Did the citizens and leaders of DeRidder choose the path to prosperity, or did they just "wait to see what would happen next?' Surprises are a fun part of the entertainment world. In real life it might be better to have a plan--so that our story can have a happy ending!