Roosevelt Harris, 81, a resident of Sawyerville, Alabama, was born on April 5, 1943, in Hale County to the late Maple L. Harris and Johnny Murray. He departed this life on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at his home.
He confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined First Baptist Church of Sawyerville, which is presently known as the New First Baptist Church of Sawyerville under the leadership of Rev. W. E. Hope. He attended Hale County Training School in Greensboro.
Roosevelt was known for his dancing skills and joking. Even in his wheelchair, he wanted to show that he could still dance. He had a word for everybody, good or bad. Yet, he was still loved by many because there was never a dull moment when he was around. He was the life of the party.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Maple L. Powell; his father, Johnny Murray; his brothers, Charles L. Harris and James Lewis; and his sister, Amy B. White.
He leaves to cherish his memories two children, Brenda Perry of Tuscaloosa and Ernest Lee Norfleet of Newbern; five brothers, Eddie Powell of Tuscaloosa, Alex Powell, Abraham Harris, James Ward, and Dave Ward, all of Sawyerville; and four sisters, Sarah Harris, Annie B. Brown, and Patricia Morse of Sawyerville and Elizabeth Carter of Tuscaloosa. He is also survived by three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as the children of his late brother, Charles, whom he cherished: Lucretia Harris Phillips of Greensboro, Elizabeth Harris Bryant, and Lashawn Harris of Tuscaloosa, LaTasha S. Campbell and LaToya S. Evans of Aberdeen, Mississippi, Zebedee Harris of Newbern, Henry Thomas of Millington, Tennessee, and Roderick Gray of Tuscaloosa. He also leaves behind a special niece, Yvonne H. Williams, and a very special niece, whom he called his mother and who called him her baby, Gloria Doss, along with a host of other nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at New First Baptist Church in Sawyerville. Rev. Samuel Noland Jr., pastor, served as eulogist.
