Roosevelt Harmon, Jr.

After a very brief illness at Northside Gwinnett Hospital, Roosevelt Harmon, Jr. entered into eternal rest on November 24, 2024. Roosevelt Harmon, Jr. was born November 28, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia to the late Rev. Roosevelt Harmon, Sr. and Rosetta Andrews Harmon. He was raised in the North Truxton area of Portsmouth, Virginia and called “Rickey” by friends and family. Roosevelt accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Portsmouth where he sang in the youth choir and played on the church little league team. Roosevelt attended public schools in Portsmouth, Virginia and was a graduate of I.C. Norcom High School, where he played clarinet in the Greyhound Marching Band. Roosevelt was an Army Veteran; assigned as a medic to the Substance Abuse Treatment Center and psychiatric ward at Walter Reed Army Hospital. From 1966-1969, he served and supported Vietnam Combat Veterans upon their return home. He was immensely proud of his service during the Vietnam War. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Roosevelt continued his dedication and service to his country by choosing educational paths that were people focused. He was a proud graduate of Virginia Union University (BS in Social Science). He remained active with the Mary Redd Nelson Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter of Virginia Union University. He obtained graduate degrees and certificates from Virginia Commonwealth University (MSW), and Andover Newton Theological School (M. Div.) and received a Certificate of International Ministry from Oxford University and a Certificate of Pastoral Education from Boston City Hospital. Roosevelt was part of an educational team for the Virginia Community College System that created the Human Service and Community and Social Services Degree Programs. He was employed as an Adjunct Professor in these programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds, Tidewater Community College and Paul D. Camp Community College. He retired as a Substance Abuse Counselor for the City of Portsmouth. As recognition for his dedication and assurance that his legacy would live forever, Roosevelt was inducted into the Class of 2011 Historical Truxton Wall of Fame. In 1979, he was licensed to preach the Gospel by Quioccasin Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia under the pastorate of Rev. Joe. B. Fleming. In 1986, he was ordained into the Gospel Ministry by the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association. He was a pastor for over 20 years in Southampton County and Franklin, Virginia, retiring as Senior Pastor of Mount Calvary Memorial Baptist Church in 2009. In the city of Portsmouth, Roosevelt was an active member of his community. He was a founding member, and the first chairperson of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Steering Committee. He would go on to serve on several committees, such as Joint Senate and House of Delegates sub-committee for Land Annexation, Cox Cable Commission, and Community Service Board. Roosevelt had a great passion for photography, always capturing memories to share with family and friends. His appreciation of music, instilled in him by his mother, made him an avid gospel, hymn, and jazz listener. In 2010, he and his wife retired to Snellville, Georgia and became active members of Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church where he continued his appreciation of Sacred Choral Music by singing in the James C. Ward Chorale. Roosevelt is predeceased by his parents, Rev. Roosevelt and Rosetta Harmon, Sr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pearline Palmer Harmon, with whom he shared over 45 years of marriage; two devoted daughters, Jewelle (Kendell Rice) and Joycelyn; one grandson, Julian Rice; one sister, Dr. Paula Boone (Melvin, Sr.); two nieces, Debra Johnson and Patrice Haynes, JD; one nephew Richard Johnson (Morgan); three great-nieces Veronica Avent, Amanda Johnson, and Sophia Johnson; one great-great niece Alivia Johnson; and one great-great nephew Trevor Avent; The Thompson, Stroman-Innis, and Pollock families; a brother in Christ Deacon Willie Reese; and a host of extended family and friends. GOD has spoken. Let the church say AMEN!! Due to the requirements of internment at the Georgia National Cemetery, flowers are not permitted. In lieu of flowers to honor Rev. Roosevelt Harmon's memory, the family requests that you consider making a donation to any of the following organizations: Virginia Union University Mary Redd Nelson Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter Check: payable to Mary Redd Nelson Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter; mailed to 23 Moyer Rd. Newport News, VA 23608 c/o Tonya Sabb, Treasurer CashApp: $MaryreddNelsonHrds, please add note: In memory of Roosevelt Harmon Mary Redd Nelson Hampton Roads Chapter of VUU Via Zelle: (434) 247-2115 (Tonya Sabb, Treasurer) please add note: In memory of Roosevelt Harmon Mary Redd Nelson Hampton Roads Chapter of VUU I.C. Norcom High School Alumni Association Online: https://www.icnaainc.org/about-4 Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church Online: https://www.antiochlithonia.org/give1 Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Online: Click the “DONATE” tab at: https://gcps-foundation.org National Association of Black Veterans Check: payable to National Association of Black Veterans; mailed to 3400 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53208 c/o Marilyn Laster. Service Livestream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/4776060

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Roosevelt Harmon, Jr.

November 28, 1943 - November 24, 2024