Roosevelt Bedford

Roosevelt “Doll: Bedford, a loving dad, granddaddy, great granddaddy, uncle, brother, cousin
and friend has truly received the promises of God as he has been blessed beyond measure with
more than eighty years of life on earth before he was called home to sweet rest, where his
suffering and sorrow has ceased.

Dad was born January 23, 1939, to Elizabeth (Sis) Lowery and Marion (Meddie) Bedford and
accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. Dad worked at the Cotton
Compress in Drew, MS, before becoming an entrepreneur as a carpenter and owner of
Bedford’s Groceries. While managing these two businesses, he also served as the
Winstonville, MS Postmaster and Fire Chief. After retiring from the post office and Winstonville
Fire Department, he worked as an Excavator Operator for the Bolivar County Road Department,
bean farmer, and real estate investor. Despite his diverse career, carpentry was his greatest
passion, which was taught to him by his father. He passed on this trade to his sons, grandsons,
nephews, and daughters. His carpentry work can been seen throughout Winstonville, MS and
includes his primary residence and church home, Pilgrim Chapel Church, where he served as a
member of the finance committee and most recently as President of the deacon board.

Dad fought a good fight, kept the faith, encouraged many to believe, and served as an example
of God’s light even while trusting God through his transition that concluded on December 27,
2024.

He was united in holy matrimony to Ida Bell Coleman on February 28, 1960, and was married
for 46 years until she preceded him in death on August 9, 2008. Also preceding him in death are
his two children, Deborah Ann Coleman, and Karmen Coleman; grandson Myron Bedford;
parents; sisters: Mary Ord, Evelyn Tutwiler, Jewel Moore and Beatrice Collins; and brothers:
Joseph Blake, Sr, Murray Lee Bedford, Sr., and William Bedford, Sr.

He leaves behind seven children: Debra Thomas of North Riverside, IL, Marrietta Bedford of
Greenbelt, MD, Marion Bedford, Keicia Bedford, an Andre Bedford of Winstonville, MS; Carlos
(Kimberly) Bedford of Durham, NC; Shaundalon (Famus) Hasty of Bolingbrook, IL and a loving
friend Mildred Pipes of North Riverside, IL. Dad also has a legacy of believers in the youth of
his lineage with twenty grandchildren (includes 4 spouses) and 30 great grandchildren with two
additional great grandchildren due any day now.

He is loved and will be forever honored and remembered.