1952-2026
Roosevelt Dye was born to the late Addie Mae and Joe Dye on December 30, 1952, in Watson, Arkansas. He transitioned from this life on January 5, 2026, peacefully surrounded by his family.
He attended Desha Central/Delta School District and earned his GED in 1971. He started his career working at the University of Arkansas Agriculture Experiment Station, Rohwer Division. Roosevelt dedicated many years to farming before being promoted to a field farmer. After over 40 years of service, he retired from the experiment station in 2013. Throughout his years as a field farmer, Roosevelt also made a positive impact on his community. He became a first responder as an Emergency Medical Technician for McGehee Fire and Ambulance Service. Additionally, he served as the groundskeeper for the Japanese American-Rohwer Heritage Site, Rolling Water Cemetery, Kelso Cemetery, Love Rest Missionary Baptist Church, and numerous other sites across the Kelso/Rohwer Community.
Roosevelt confessed his life to Christ at the age of twelve under the leadership of Pastor Otis Harris at Sweet Beulah Land. Later, he joined Love Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Kelso, Arkansas, where Pastor C.L. Beal led him. Roosevelt served his church community for 27 years as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. In 2006, Roosevelt accepted his call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He preached his first sermon, “In the Beginning,” In June 2007, and just three months later, he was ordained as a minister and became the Pastor of Love Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Roosevelt served faithfully as the Church’s pastor for 18 years and he also dedicated and served as President of Rolling Water Cemetery for many Years.
On July 23, 1981, Roosevelt and Dorothy Bentley Dye united in marriage, and the Lord blessed them with four beautiful children.
He was preceded in death by his parents Addie Mae and Joe Dye; his maternal grandparents, Desha Tolliver and John Baker; his paternal grandparents, Lily Smith and Jeff Dye; and his brothers, Roy Dantzler, Sr. and Avester Bingham.
Roosevelt leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Dorothy Dye and their four children: Leslie (Marcus) Thomas of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Gloria (Donnell) Warren of Farmington, Michigan, Joe Dye (Ashley) of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Whitney (Jaron) Best of Fayetteville, Arkansas; 23 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, four sisters; Lily Dye Bentley, Kathleen Snyder, Emma Dye, and Diannetta (David), one brother; Rudell (Cynthia) Payne, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation: Friday, January 9, 2026, 4:00PM - 6:00PM Love Rest MB Church 418 Experiment Street Watson, Arkansas 71674
Service: Saturday, January 10, 2026, 11:00AM McGehee Chapel MB Church 202 Church Street McGehee, Arkansas 71654
