2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 211

Celebrating the life of Roosevelt Harmon, Jr.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 23, 2025

WHEREAS, Roosevelt Harmon, Jr., an honorable veteran, esteemed educator and counselor, dedicated faith leader, and beloved member of the Portsmouth community, died on November 24, 2024; and

WHEREAS, known affectionately by friends and family as “Rickey,” Roosevelt Harmon graduated from I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth before joining the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Roosevelt Harmon served his country with honor and distinction by assisting Vietnam War veterans as a medic at a United States Army substance abuse treatment center and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center's psychiatric ward between 1966 and 1969; and

WHEREAS, in addition to a bachelor's degree in social science from Virginia Union University, Roosevelt Harmon's educational pursuits included graduate degrees and certificates from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master's degree in divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, a certificate of international ministry from the University of Oxford, and a certificate of pastoral education from Boston City Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Roosevelt Harmon helped to develop the Virginia Community College System's human service and community and social services degree programs and served as an adjunct professor in these programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Tidewater Community College, and Paul D. Camp Community College; and

WHEREAS, after a long career committed to helping others, Roosevelt Harmon retired as a substance abuse counselor with the City of Portsmouth; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his contributions to the community, particularly the Truxton neighborhood of Portsmouth, Roosevelt Harmon was inducted into the Historical Truxton Wall of Fame in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Roosevelt Harmon was licensed to preach the Gospel by Quioccasin Baptist Church in Richmond in 1979 and ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 1986 by the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association; and

WHEREAS, for more than 20 years, Roosevelt Harmon provided uplifting spiritual guidance as a pastor in Southampton County and Franklin until his retirement as senior pastor of Mount Calvary Memorial Baptist Church in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Roosevelt Harmon was active in his community through his involvement with several local committees, including the community service board, and with the Mary Redd Nelson Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter of Virginia Union University; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, Roosevelt Harmon enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church in Snellville, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Roosevelt Harmon will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of more than 45 years, Pearline; his children, Jewelle and Joycelyn, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Roosevelt Harmon, Jr., an educator and faith leader whose integrity, generosity, and dedication made a difference in countless lives; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Roosevelt Harmon, Jr., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.