Roberts' career at ACU began as a student in 1939, when she transferred after attending The University of Tennessee at Martin on a basketball scholarship. She earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1941 from ACU. She returned to Abilene in 1946 when her husband joined Abilene Christian’s Bible faculty.
Dr. Marsha Harper, former director of ACU's Brown Library and longtime friend and colleague remembers Roberts as an enthusiastic and good-natured soul. "She was a strong woman--strong in her ethics, in her faith and in her support for her family and friends, her church family and the university she served so well," said Harper. "Delno left her mark in the hearts of those who knew her."
Roberts began working as the secretary to ACU president Dr. Don H. Morris in 1953. She was named administrative secretary to Morris in 1955, and continued in that role for more than 20 years. In 1973, Roberts earned a master’s degree in education from ACU.
In 1974, Roberts took a leave of absence to earn her master's degree in library science from The University of North Texas, and began her role as assistant librarian for public services in 1975, retiring from ACU in 1986 after 33 years of service.
"I am saddened by the passing of Delno Roberts," said Dr. Everett Ferguson, LeMoine G. Lewis Professor Emeritus of Church History at ACU. "I greatly respected her, and she was important to ACU in both the President's Office and the library."
Roberts was a member of many organizations including the American Library Association, the Southwestern Library Association, the Texas Library Association, the Freedom to Read Foundation and the American Association of University Women.
Roberts served as reader and copy editor for Restoration Quarterly, while her husband served as the publication's editor for 15 years. After his death, Delno continued working with the publication as copy editor and secretary of the corporate board until 2001.
"She was the key to the continuity of the journal, which has had four editors," said Dr. James Thompson, ACU professor of New Testament and Robert and Kay Onstead Chair for Biblical Studies. "Restoration Quarterly 39:4 was dedicated to Roberts, and on Page 193 a tribute was written to her: 'Board members come and go; editors come and go. Delno Roberts has endured, and we hope to benefit from her faithful service for years to come. With this issue, we want to express our gratitude to her for her dedication and careful work.'"
Roberts was preceded in death by her husband and her son, Jay Roberts. Among survivors are her daughter, Kathy Berndt of Hewitt, and her grandsons, Carl Brown of Austin and Mack Brown of Alvin.
Services were held Jan. 4 in Abilene.
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