Dereck Lee Roberts

Raleigh, NC -  Dereck Lee Roberts, 56, died peacefully Sunday, January 30, 2022, at home surrounded by family, close friends and the loving support of his care team.

Dereck, often referred to as Big “D” by family and friends, and “Buzz” by his team at Progress Energy (Florida), was born September 7 ,1965 in Norfolk, Va. to Al (Murray) and Pat (Patricia) Roberts.

Throughout his childhood in Cockeysville, Maryland, Dereck was active in Boy Scouts of America, Church, and Track and Field at Dulaney Valley High school where he secured many achievements including leading the Dulaney Lions to the Maryland State Championship finals for throwing shot-put and discus.

Upon his graduation at Dulaney, Dereck was accepted to North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC where he again achieved numerous titles and records through his ventures with Track and Field. Dereck graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

At the beginning of his college career, Dereck met his loving Wife, Mary Lynn Purcell Roberts of Clinton, NC on August 26, 1983, in her sophomore year at the nearby Meredith College. Mary Lynn and Dereck were inseparable, dating for seven years until their marriage on December 1, 1990. Mary Lynn and Dereck raised two strong-willed boys, William Lane Roberts (24) and Benjamin Purcell Roberts (21) who are both currently attending and succeeding in college at NC State and East Carolina University, respectively.

Dereck’s passions revolved around four main pillars in his life, his faith, family, the Wolf Pack and the outdoors. Dereck was a devout Christian, family man and fisherman. He found his greatest enjoyment from his time spent with his boys, surf fishing on Ocean Isle Beach, NC and on their family trips to Florida.

Dereck’s active participation through his boy’s lives was apparent through his involvement with coaching their baseball teams, attending their sporting events, leading their Boy Scout troops and often teaching their Sunday school classes with their mother.

Dereck’s passionate work ethic allowed Mary Lynn to be the mother she desired to be. His dedication to his career afforded his family a comfortable lifestyle offering them to form strong, long-lasting friendships with many neighbors from numerous moves. Dereck’s career was supported by Mary Lynn and her willingness to say yes to each opportunity presented him regardless of how far they would move away from family. His career continued through many organizations and 19 moves including, Dominion Power (Virginia), Progress Energy (Florida), and Duke Energy (North Carolina). Their travels finally paid off with them landing back in North Carolina to be present with their numerous friends and families.

Dereck showed strength and grace as he faced several challenges including the sickness and loss of his wife Mary Lynn (June 12, 2021), along with his own 5-year battle of neuroendocrine cancer. He was often comforted by the presence and companionship of the family’s two “Little Brown Dogs” Mollie and Hazel who he adored dearly.

Dereck was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lynn Purcell Roberts, father, Murray Alton Roberts, mother, Patricia Verell Roberts, and father-in-law, Edwin Lane Purcell. He is survived by two sons, William Lane Roberts and fiancé Meghan Nicole Hankins, and Benjamin Purcell Roberts and girlfriend Madeline Christine Purl, brother, Mark and wife Judy Roberts of Churchville, MD, brother-in-laws Bobby Purcell and wife Lori of Cary, NC and Mac Purcell and wife Dale of Clinton, NC, nephews John, Wes, and Alex (Madison) Purcell, nieces Paige (Brian) Noreen, Morgan Roberts and mother-in-law, Mary Lucille McKenzie “Tink” Purcell.  

The family would like to thank Dereck’s medical team at Duke Oncology, caregivers and family friends, Lynn Anne Newbegin, Kerefa, Zuzu, and Sara, and Transitions Hospice. In lieu of flowers,  memorial gifts may be made to the Share the Light Fund (Share the Light Fund Link). Share the Light Fund (formerly known as Energy Neighbor Fund) brings together customers and communities to help individuals and families struggling to pay their energy bills. The Duke Energy Foundation matches every dollar donated up to $500,000.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, the 11th of February at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church of Clinton, NC (201 Fayetteville Street, Clinton, NC 28328.) officiated by Dr. William Hawkins. Dereck will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Purcell Family plot in the Clinton City Cemetery prior to the service.

Arrangements are by Royal-Hall Funeral Home, 301 McKoy Street, Clinton, NC 28328, (910)592-4127. Royal-Hall is honored to serve the family.

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