Willie Roscoe Blue Jr.

Roscoe Blue, Jr.
An Officer (a Servant) and a Gentleman

He was the third child and only son born to the late Willie Roscoe Blue, Sr., and Martie Pittman Blue on September 18, 1939 in Marietta, North Carolina. His siblings closest in age to him called him mischievous as a child, and said he was always looking for ways to trick them into situations that made him double over with laughter at them… But Roscoe was also thoughtful, full of thoughts. He was never one to believe anyone’s present circumstance was the best their life could be, including his own. So although born into poverty, in rural North Carolina, to a sharecropper (which because of the love of his parents he barely even noticed), Roscoe began early on to envision a life beyond the one into which he had been born economically; one that would not only afford him the ability to provide for his own family that he would eventually have, but would also position him to reach back and touch the lives of his parents and his siblings and his siblings children in the most positive and inspiring ways. His trajectory of choice was the US Air Force. Though he initially entered as an enlisted person, Roscoe obtained his degree and quickly began to rise up the ranks, obtaining his Master’s Degree along the way, and ending his career as a Captain after more than 30 years of committed, noble and distinguished service to his country and fellowmen.

Roscoe accepted Christ very early in his life while attending Ebenezer Baptist Church in Marietta, NC with his parents, but as he grew older and matured, his personal relationship with the Lord began to deepen and it showed. In the latter years of his life, he could often be heard having spirited conversations with his mother (prior to her death), as they both marveled at “what the Lord had done!” Roscoe was known to often say, “that even given any mistakes and missteps he may have made, or any mishaps and/or challenges he may have faced in his life, at the end of the day, God was gracious, forgiving, loving and kind, and had been GOOD to him!” He stated it loudly, gratefully and often. His sisters can attest that he got to where he never ended a conversation without saying this very thing. And indeed God was!

Roscoe got married at a young age, at the very beginning of his Air Force career, to his childhood sweetheart, Ellaweise Nance Blue, and to that union four beautiful children of whom he was always extremely proud, were born; Debra Blue, Jacqueline Blue, Linda Blue Roman and William Roscoe Blue. Roscoe believed that one of the things he got right, was that due to his profession, he was able to give his children the gift of travel, and the opportunity to see parts of the world in their growing years that not every child has the benefit of doing. He believed that travel had the potential to enrich a person’s life and mind, and often enhanced one’s desire for continual personal growth (as it did for him). This was something he hoped, that in addition to encouraging them to build a relationship with God, he had instilled in each one of them.

After deciding that Ohio, the location of his last duty station (Wright-Patterson AFB) would be his forever home, Roscoe fell in love with and joined his most current church and church family at Trinity Baptist Church. Roscoe found deep, true, caring friendships, a sense of family, and much joy there. He sang in the male chorus and often took trips with his much beloved seniors group Young at Heart. At this church he also met his best friend and avid golfing buddy, Russel Moman (and his wife Mary), whose devoted friendship to him lasted until Roscoe departed for his Heavenly Home, having seen each other just one day before he passed away. The friendship was tried and true and literally endured until the end.

In addition to his four children, Roscoe also leaves to mourn his passing, his granddaughter; Danielle Roman and great-grandson; Khristan Moses, three sisters; Pamela Blue Ford (George), and Myra Blue McCullough (Samuel), both of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Crystal Blue-Clawson (Frank) of Lumberton, NC, a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Roscoe was preceded in death by four sisters that he grew up with and loved dearly; Fannie Nichols, Kay Dickerson, Carolyn Woods, and Virginia McCormick. May he rest in POWER and PEACE!

Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH 2500 Cleveland Ave. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to the Blue Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com