Roosevelt Solomon

Pastor Roosevelt Solomon, 89, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 2, while surrounded by his family at his home in Kokomo. Roosevelt was born as the youngest of 16 on June 16, 1927 to the late Mark and Mattie Solomon in Sandersville, Georgia.

Roosevelt graduated from TJ Elder High School in Sandersville, and decided to live his life serving the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 16. In August of 1948, Roosevelt married the love of his life, Lorraine in Logansport, Indiana.

In 1948, Roosevelt joined Second Missionary Baptist Church, and served as trustee and President of the Baptist Teaching Union (BTU). Roosevelt remained a member of Second Baptist for 30 years, and then went on to serve at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church (now New Hope Full Gospel Church) as Deacon, teacher, preacher, and Sunday School Superintendent.

Roosevelt had also worked at Sears, where he made history as being the second black full-time salesman, as well as the first black in management. He went on to become the Division Manager in hardware, sporting goods, and electrical. He retired after working 30 years in 1987.

Outside of church and work, Roosevelt had other interests. In the 1950’s, he was a member of the NAACP, where he served on a committee that talked to the State Representatives for Howard County regarding school integration. Roosevelt also became a 32nd Degree Mason at the Keystone #40 Masonic Temple. He served as Wishful Master for a year.

Roosevelt is survived by two children, Roosevelt (Brenda) Solomon Jr., and Cinseria Patterson, as well as special daughter-in-law, Andrea Solomon, and special daughter, Linda Querry. He has 13 grandchildren: Angela (Marc) Embry, Erika Patterson, Tanisha Hall, Roosevelt (Christina) Solomon III, Israel (Shantay) Solomon, Alexis (Carlos) Mendez, Serrita Lindsey, Demetrius Harris, Genecia Wise, Ailene Mills, Howard (Delana) Patterson III, Deborah Ellis, and Christopher (Christine) Patterson. He is also survived by 26 great-grandchildren, the eldest being Kiarra (David) Logan; 8 great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Charles Henry (Arlanda) Solomon; and numerous nieces and nephews. Along with his parents and 14 siblings, Roosevelt was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Howard Patterson, and a daughter, Lena.

There will be a visitation for Roosevelt on Monday, April 10th at New Hope Full Gospel Church in Kokomo from 11am-1pm, with a funeral service immediately following officiated by Pastor Elliott Faison and eulogized by Rabbi Moshe ben Avraham (Roosevelt Solomon Jr).