The Legacy and History of Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr.

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr.

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., was born to Jasper Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell in Amite, Louisiana. He attended O.W. Dillion High School, Kentwood and was a graduate of Westside High School, Kentwood, and Capitol Area Vocational School.

A friend to many and a humanitarian who gave so unselfishly to his family, his church and the community, who served as a spiritual advisor to those living with HIV/AIDS, who fed the hungry and provided clothes and shelter to the homeless, he died peacefully at 4:00 a.m., Tuesday, Oct, 23, 2001, at his residence in Slaughter, LA.,  at the age of 65 years old.

His service station was a haven for anyone in need. He was the retired owner and operator of Plank Road Automotive, he was also a U.S. Army veteran. Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., was the pastor of Gordon Harrell Church of God in Christ, and a member of Richardson Chapel Church of God in Christ for 21 years. He is buried in Port Hudson National Cemetery.

He met and married his high school sweetheart Mildred Abbott Harrell, they were married for 40 years.; a son, Roosevelt Harrell Jr., and his wife, Wyomma; a daughter, Rolanda Gayle Harrell Jackson.  His siblings are the late Jasper Harrell, Jr., the late Catherine Harrell, the late Frank Harrell, the late Herbert Harrell, the late Leon Clarence Harrell, the late Raymond Harrell, Sr., Isabel Harrell Cook, Deloris Harrell Washington, and Henry Harrell.

It gives me great pleasure to write about my maternal uncle Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., a man who was very quiet and a man who spoke with great wisdom. There are so many qualities I can write about when it comes to my uncle. He kept a beautiful and loving smile on his face whenever he greeted you. Whatever you shared with him in confidence stayed with him. You could count on the fact that he wouldn't betray your confidence. Uncle Roosevelt also talked with me about saving and investing, the importance of buying your own home and must importantly serving the All Mighty Creator.

He is truly missed and I often think about him and try to apply some of the lessons my uncle shared with me. Uncle Roosevelt was a man that stood for righteousness, he was a kind of man that didn't bragged about material things. He didn't put others down to uplift himself. He truly left an example for us to follow and to live by. He never fell to tell you that he loved you and not to mention giving you a big hug. Miss you uncle Roosevelt!