Roy graduated from Dresden High School and then attended the University of Tennessee’s Martin campus. After studying the New Testament and ethics in Scotland as a Rotary Scholar, he received his law and divinity degrees. The former minister is now an attorney and small businessman who practices law in Dresden. For over two decades now, including 13 years in the Tennessee Senate, Roy has continued his service, earning a reputation as a good listener, forceful advocate, and hard worker. He has conducted more than 1,000 listening meetings, and he has missed only one legislative session in the last 23 years—the day his youngest son was being born. Residing in the county where his family settled in 1819, Roy is married to Nancy, his wife of 23 years. Roy enjoys sports and the outdoors with their three sons, John, Rick, and Ben.