Roosevelt Samuels, 87, son of the late Pastor William Edward and Beatrice Rucker Samuels, went home to be with The Lord on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. He was born June 28, 1939, in Winston-Salem, NC.

Roosevelt was educated in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System. He graduated from Atkins High School where he was an outstanding football player, and he earned the nickname "Chicken." He was employed at Reynolds Tobacco Company for forty-nine years, where he retired. He trained at the Patterson Avenue YMCA, as it was known at that time, and became a professional boxer. He also loved playing the guitar, mouth harp, and harmonica. He played with the quartet group called The Friendly Five and produced a record. He also played guitar for St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Howell Samuels; his father, Pastor William Edward Samuels; his mother, Beatrice Rucker Samuels; his brothers, Pastor Joseph R. Samuels, Pastor Philemon A. Samuels, and James C. Samuels; a sister, Mrs. Mary Lee Samuels Simington; his son, Steven Samuels, Sr.; and son-in-law, Johnnie P. Morrison, Sr.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Samuels Morrison; two sons, Anthony (Toni) Samuels of Concord, NC and Gregory Samuels; brothers, Benjamin (Jackie) Samuels of the city and Timothy (Cynthia) Samuels of Kernersville, NC; two grandchildren, Shakeyta Samuels and Steven Samuels; great-grandchildren, Selea Gamble, Sarai Samuels, and Ember Samuels; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. The family visitation will be held from 12:30pm until 1:00pm on Wednesday at the Chapel.