Larry Wayne Roberts

Larry Wayne Roberts

March 2, 1959 – February 2, 2023

Larry Wayne Roberts was born on March 2, 1959, to Barbara and DL Roberts and was raised in Brunswick County, Virginia. In his early years, Larry, known to many as “Red,” was a standout athlete and growing up on the farm taught him hard work, determination, caring for others, and the strength of family. Larry also let the world know that he was going to live life to the fullest and do it his way. Whether it was racing around the roads of Brunswick County with his brothers or dropping out of school in the 8 ^th grade to hitchhike to California, Larry lived a life full of experiences that allowed him to revel rooms with stories that could make your jaw drop or bring you to tears with laughter.

After his adventures of early adulthood, Larry became a pillar of the recovery community in Richmond, Virginia. He was celebrating 32 years clean at the time of his passing, and he used that time to build a community and serve as a compassionate friend, dedicated mentor and humble leader to help countless others find their path to recovery. Larry’s gift was his ability to connect with and empower others to find their own way to a second chance, while showing them everything he was able to do with his.

Larry worked for over 40 years with Slurry Pavers, Inc, beginning as a laborer in 1982, and advancing through many roles before spending the last 20 years as the manager of the reclamation division.  He was instrumental in not only expanding the division at Slurry Pavers, but also in developing the market for reclamation and soil stabilization throughout Virginia. As in every aspect of his life, Larry was more than a manager and friend. He deeply touched the lives of many Slurry Pavers employees who considered him to be like a father, an uncle, or a brother. No matter where he was, Larry never stopped connecting with those around him and making them laugh.

Larry brought fun to everything he did, and he never stopped chasing his dreams. Larry always wanted to buy a farm and create a space that facilitated healing, and he spent recent years building this dream on a plot of land in Goochland County that became ZenRenity Farms. Larry opened his home and heart to many, and he built miles of trails and campsites that he used to host legendary gatherings at the farm where he united people through fellowship and good-natured fun. At ZenRenity Farms, Larry and his wide community of friends and family enjoyed life in a safe and fulfilling way.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara Stone Roberts Mountjoy and Dossie Lee “DL” Roberts. Larry is survived by his two older brothers, Dennis Lee Roberts (Fleet) of Valentines and Kenneth Hume Roberts (Sheila) of Mechanicsville, his nieces and nephew, Patricia Ann Benninghove (Phil), Courtney Roberts Nickels (Neale), Thomas Roberts (Claire), and Laura Mae Roberts, his great-nieces and great-nephews Emme, Sibley, Henry, and Hall, a farm full of his two- and four-legged loved ones, Kobi, Diego, Baby Gracie, Daisy, Roo and the Dixie Chicks as well as many other family and friends for whom he cared deeply.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 2pm at Second Baptist Church in Richmond, VA (9614 River Road).

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the following GoFundMe page, created by his family to help continue the work of ZenRenity Farms in Larry’s legacy: https://gofund.me/f99af9e1