Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal

Deacon Roosevelt Gaters, Sr, son of the late Sammie Lee Gaters, Sr. and Etta Byas Gaters was born on June 4,1934, in Summerton, South Carolina. He received his education at Scott's Branch Elementary School in Summerton, South Carolina. Roosevelt loved his family so much, that he decided to start a farm raising animals and sharecropping. He also worked as a laborer at a Lumber Mill.

During his younger years, he attended Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, where he was baptized and became a member. Later, Roosevelt became a dedicated and devoted Deacon. He loved helping and working in the church so much that he also became a Treasurer of the South Jordan River Union. Over the years, due to his health and age, Deacon Roosevelt Gaters, Sr. resigned, however, he never stopped being a Deacon. He was also well known as a member of the Summerton Masonic Lodge #366.

Roosevelt was joined into holy matrimony to the late Elease Thames Gaters. This union was blessed with one daughter, Eva (Colin) Gaters-Warren, and five sons; Roosevelt (Roberta) Gaters, Jr., Robert Gaters, Sr., Levan (Patricia) Gaters, Sr., Evanduel (Margie) Gaters Sr., and Moses Gaters. He was also blessed to have another amazing and beautiful daughter, Catherine Richardson Lemon.

Later in life, due to the passing of the late Elease T. Gaters, Roosevelt was blessed again in Holy matrimony to Claudell Jones Gaters. This union was blessed with two stepdaughters, Betsy Parker and the late Delores Parker, and one stepson, Samuel Jones, Jr.

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, he departed this earthly life at McCleod Hospice House in Florence, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by Leon (Hester) Gaters, Paul Gaters, Joe (Ruby) Gaters, Teresa Gaters and Margaret Gaters.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted spouse, Claudell J. Gaters; his children; Eva Gaters-Warren, Roosevelt Gaters, Jr., Robert Gaters, Sr., Levan Gaters, Sr., Evanduel Gaters, Sr., Moses Gaters, and Catherine Richardson Lemon; a stepdaughter, Betsy Parker; a stepson, Samuel Jones, Jr.; his siblings, Deacon Sammie Lee (Eva Mae) Gaters, Jr., Carrie Lee Montgomery, Lula Mae (Willie) Dyson; a sister-in-law, Bobbie Lee Gaters; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

We thank God for the life and legacy of Deacon Roosevelt Gaters, Sr.