Roosevelt Oakes

Roosevelt Oakes, 85, of Phenix City, AL passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, December 30, 2018 in the comfort of his home in Phenix City while surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm EST on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Golden Acres Baptist Church in Phenix City with Pastor Kip McKee, Pastor Jonathan Pike, Shannon Poole and Rev. Tommy Fountain officiating.  A private interment with Military Honors will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 pm EST at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City.

Roosevelt was born August 2, 1933 Pike County, AL to the late Shelby Henry Oakes, and Eliza Jane Deese Oakes.  He served our country proudly and was a Veteran of the United States Army during the Korean War.  He then returned home and worked with Muscogee Mills and Lummus Cotton Gin as an electrician.  In 1961 Roosevelt gave his life to Jesus and in 1965 accepted his calling to serve God as a minister.  Roosevelt sang with two Southern Gospel Music groups the Happy Five and his family known as the Singing Oakes Family.  He served several churches in our local surrounding community and in Eufaula; he then served at Silver Run Baptist Church in Seale for almost 22 years.  Bro. Roosevelt then moved to Golden Acres Baptist where served as a staff minister until his death.  His passion in life was witnessing for Jesus, faith and family. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Lynn Oakes, four brothers, Louie Oakes, William Phillip Oakes, Joseph Hixon Oakes, and Melvin Earl Oakes.

He is survived by his beautiful bride of 66 years, Dean Mann Oakes, one daughter, Pam Oakes Smith and husband Tony, son, Terry Oakes and wife Kathy Jo, one precious granddaughter, Eliza Kaye Richardson, two brothers, J T Oakes and wife Betty, and Sidney Ray Oakes and wife Dianne, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, and many caring friends.

Bro. Roosevelt will always be remembered as a Warrior and Faithful Servant of God, and an amazing husband, and dad all the way to the very end.

Thank you to all the wonderful and caring people at Ala-care Hospice in Opelika for their warm compassion that has left a mark in our lives.  In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to the American Cancer Society in memory of Roosevelt Oakes.