On October 24, 1930, Roosevelt Bell, Sr. was born to Jimmie Lee Johnson and Annie Fowler of Dunlieth, Mississippi. Roosevelt was also known by Rosey. He was raised in the church and had accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age.
Rosey graduated from Coleman High School in Greenville, Mississippi. He was the captain of the football team and an outstanding Masonry student. He won the state competition during his senior year.
He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was in the 82nd Airborne Unit at Fort Bragg in Alabama. He received an honorable discharge, and moved to Detroit, MI with his newly wife, Mary Malone and family to join his father.
Rosey was employed at General Motors in Pontiac, MI as a receiving clerk in the truck and bus division, and he retired after 30 years of excellent service.
In 1995, Rosey joined the Greenville Mississippi Club of Detroit. There he met the love of his life, Ann. After Ann’s retirement, he convinced her that Las Vegas would be a great place to enjoy a new life together. Ann and Rosey relocated to Las Vegas in 2001 to begin their new life of “Love and Happiness”.
Rosey always had a passion for bowling no matter where he lived. Before moving to Vegas, he served as president of the Bill Rhodman League for more than 20 years. He loved bowling and his bowling friends. They were his extended family who always vowed to stay connected. They showered him with affection and respect. When the bowlers came to Vegas for a visit, they made sure they called “Mr. President."
Rosey and Ann joined Pathway Baptist Church, which became not only their church, but an important part of their lives. Later, they joined the Detroit Connection linking up with some old friends and making new friends. Rosey and Ann were united in marriage after they moved to Vegas. This marriage blended the two families, and with Rosey’s unforgettable charm, special wit and his warm inviting smile, he knew just how to bring everyone together.
Rosey was a wonderful husband, a dedicated father, a supportive brother, a fun-loving Granddaddy, an uncle, brother-in-law, cousin and a friend to many people. He was truly a likable people person. Rosey had the ability to relate to others in a warm and sincere way. He could and would make friends with people he had just met.
On Tuesday, March 19th Rosey departed this life to be with our Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie Lee Johnson and Annie Fowler; brothers, Timothy Johnson, Bennie Johnson, and Willie Reynolds; and sister, Harriet Edwards.
Rosey leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Annette “Ann” J. Bell; his children, Roosevelt Bell, Jr. (Clementeen), Jacqueline Sledge, Lynn Bell, Charlotte Barker, Shawn Mopkins, John Jordan (Samone), and Quincy Jordan (Jennifer); 18 grandchildren, William, Sheushea, Robert, Elizabeth, Roosevelt Allen, Brad, Jr., Mary, Micah (India), Demetris, Lakeish, Jermaine, Roshauna, Nehemiah (Shandolyn), Jeremy, Jaylen, Ethan, Julan, and King; 14 great – grandchildren; 3 great- great grandchildren; brothers, Marshall Bell, John Johnson (Glynnda), Tyriq Johnson (Anita), Michael Johnson (Cindy), Jimmy Johnson, Reggie Johnson, and Muhammad Amin; sisters, Beverly Erby (Anthony), Vanessa Johnson and Lovia Johnson; and extended family members and friends.
