Roosevelt Starling

Deacon Roosevelt “Pete” Starling went home to glory on May 31, 2019 to be with his wife Bessie Starling. He was born to Luke and Florence (Pickett) Starling on August 19, 1921 in Canton, Mississippi. His favorite quote was “From cotton sack to Cadillac”.

He leaves to celebrate his home-going, four sons: Roosevelt Starling Jr of Altadena, California, Murray Joe (Bettie) Starling, and William Henry Starling of South bend, Indiana, Lee Starling of Canton, Mississippi; four daughters: Florence Starling, Earnestine Jones, Lillie Mae Keeys, and Martha Jo Bowlds, all South Bend, Indiana; and one goddaughter, Jenice Myers of Indianapolis, Indiana; and one sister, Louise Starling of Chicago, Illinois.

Roosevelt is preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Starling; his parents, Luke and Florence Starling; three brothers: Luke, Henry, and Murray Starling; and three sisters: Pearl Reynolds, Bernadette Starling, and Mable Starling; and one grandson, Ernesto Starling.

He leaves in this life 26 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and a host of great-great-grandchildren; countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Roosevelt was a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church for over 65 years, where he served as a Deacon (One of the "four horsemen" of the church). He was in Go Down Moses, The Sanctuary Choir, the Senior Choir, and the Male Chorus.

He was a member of the Michiana Community Male Course, the Mishawaka Male Chorus, and the National Singing Quartet Convention of America. He was a devotional leader for the Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams, Highway QC's, Evelyn Turrentine Agee, and The Melodic Truths. He was Vice President of the NIMBEDA Laymen, the director of Junior Laymen. Active member of the Original General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Indiana Inc.

He worked for South Bend Lathe Inc. for over 30 years. He worked as a security guard for the Mishawaka School Corp., and a parking attendant for Key Bank. He received several awards: for commission in 1997, for Church Faithfulness in 2005, Long-standing Faithfulness and service in 2011, a leadership award in 2017, and a S.B. Black history award 2018.

He loved bowling; he was on the Chippewa Bowling League. He loved preaching Bible Study, singing, spending time with his family and he loved to eat! He was a very impressive dresser. “I’m sure he is in Heaven singing to Bessie, Ernesto, and Jesus”!

We Thank you, Deacon Luther Taylor and Lonnie Taylor, for the kindness to our Dad, also the Michiana Community Male Chorus for their visitation, and to a wonderful niece, Talisa and her par excellent husband, Pierre who cared daily and dearly for our Father and Grandfather.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

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