Deacon John Henry Roach, Jr.

Deacon John Henry Roach, Jr., of, Milledgeville, Georgia passed away on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at his residence.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 1:00 PM from the El Bethel Baptist Church, Milledgeville, Georgia. Interment was held in Scenic Memorial Gardens, Milledgeville, Georgia.

Deacon John Henry Roach, Jr., affectionately known as “Lil Bro”, was born on January 8, 1958 to the parentage of the late John Henry Roach, Sr. and Mrs. Jessie Mae Simmons Roach. He was preceded in death by his father, Deacon John H. Roach, Sr. and his two brothers, Willie A. Roach and Charles L. Roach.

As a youth, John received his education from the Baldwin County Public school system. At an early age, expressing his love for God, John joined Elbethel Baptist Church where his membership remained until he was called home.

Upon graduation from high school, John enlisted in the United States Army having served in B-Troop 1-10th Calvary. After leaving active duty, John continued his military service in the Army Reserve serving with the 988th Supply Company until he retired. His military service took him to various places which included duty in support of Desert Storm (Gulf War)/Desert Shield serving in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

After military service, he continued his education by obtaining an Associates’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia Military College and became a Correctional Officer for the GA Department of Corrections reaching the rank of Lieutenant before retiring.

On September 17, 2005, he was united in Holy Matrimony to the former Miss Tammy L. Harper and this union was blessed with two sons.

He later re-established his relationship with God by becoming more active at Elbethel serving in any capacity where needed and was ordained as a Deacon.  He was also a faithful member of the Baldwin County Deacon Union.

John “Lil Bro” was known to crack a joke. He loved singing and grooving to “old school” music and definitely loved cooking many traditional dishes especially “his” sweet potato pies. He was dedicated to recording church services and passing them out to the sick and shut in. His personality touched many and he never met a stranger.

On Saturday morning, December 22, 2018, with family by his bedside, our beloved one journeyed to his heavenly home.

Our loved one will always be remembered and cherished by his devoted wife of 13 years, Mrs. Tammy L. Roach of Milledgeville, Georgia; his sons, Kedrick Roach, John H. Roach III, Johnathan H. Roach, all of Milledgeville, GA, and Jarvis Reeves of Alamo,GA; a daughter, Dr. Jameela Harper-Smith (Quandrell) of Flowery Branch, GA; his mother, Mrs. Jessie M. Roach of Milledgeville, GA; his brothers, Willie J. Davis (Margaret) of Canton, Ohio and Earl D. Roach of Atlanta, Georgia; his four sisters, Brenda J. Thomas (Fred) of Union City, Georgia, Linda J. Reeves of Milledgeville, GA, Doris M. Justice (John) of Newport News, Virginia and Rubye F. Waller (Cedric) of Virginia Beach,Virginia; a mother-in-law, Mrs. Sarah L. Harper of Milledgeville; three brothers-in-law, Rev. Jimmie Howell (Pastor Consuela) of Lithia Springs, GA, Eric Harper (Valerie) of Milledgeville, GA, and Anthony Harper (Beth) of Milledgeville, GA; four sisters-in-law, Peggy Baker of Lithonia, GA, Frances Davis (Ocie) of Atlanta,GA,Carol Harper of Milledgeville, GA, and Prophet Bridgette Wright (Minister Lewis) of Milledgeville, GA; three grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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