PERNELL ROBERTS MEMORIAL PARK DEDICATION - 18 May 2016 - Waycross,GA
Commissioners, assembled members of fan clubs, Roberts Family, Park neighbors, classmates and other visitors before the ribbon-cutting officially renaming Folkes Park the Pernell Roberts Memorial Park. This May 18th would have been Pernell’s 88th birthday. City workers stretched pink ribbon across the front of the pack filled Park pavilion. Mayor Knox asked Sandra Moultrie to join him, then various Waycross /Ware County elected officials, the Roberts family members in attendance & a few others. Sandra who conceived remembering Pernell in nature and civic interaction shared the scissors with the Mayor. Its official Mary Street Park is now Pernell Roberts Park. Yahoo and applause lifted up with the breeze to the pines of the Park. Before the ribbon- cutting there were three tributes to Pernell. A statement from Dr Eleanor Criswell Roberts, Pernell’s widow was read by a fan. Lisa Nobumoto who came all the way from Las Vegas performed the song Pernell and Hoyt Axton sang in the last Bonanza episode Pernell did. An audio tape of Pernell reciting the potent Desiderata was broadcast to the assembled. Mayor Knox also proclaimed May 18 as Pernell Roberts Day in Waycross. Some fans then headed to Lydia’s Restaurant where Pernell used to meet friends when in town for more chances to talk and share their mutual enthusiasm for all things Pernell. Fans came from as far away as Scotland and England to come to Waycross for the ribbon cutting. Others came from almost every state in the eastern half of the US. (this is a summary of the Dedication) - By Diane Jarrett
