Roosevelt Moneyham Jr.

Roosevelt Moneyham, Jr. was born on April 30, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to the union of Roosevelt Moneyham, Sr. and JewRuther Moneyham (Tharpe.) He departed this life on April 25, 2026 — just five days before what would have been his 71st birthday — leaving behind a legacy as wide as his legendary smile.

Roosevelt accepted Christ at an early age in the African Methodist Episcopal faith. He grew up in North Lawndale on Chicago’s West Side, attending William Penn and Paderewski elementary schools before going on to Providence St. Mel and Farragut high schools. It was during those formative years that he found his high school sweetheart, Susanne Chenier, whom he married in 1972. Together they welcomed two children, Cicely Andrea and Roosevelt, III. He later married Fanny Moneyham, who preceded him in death.

In his later years, Roosevelt also shared a cherished bond with Sharon Bradley and her children Sonia and Woody for over a decade. He found love again for more than twenty years, he was devoted to his partner, Gloria Steward, and her sons Terrell (Jelian) and Craig. Gloria stood by his side until the very end.

Roosevelt spent his career in service to others, working across security, retail, and general labor — always showing up with dedication and a readiness to help. But those who knew him best knew that his truest calling was family. He was the one firing up the grill, organizing the family reunion, calling to check in on people, and keeping everyone connected — often through his beloved Facebook, where he made sure no one was ever too far away. We are sure you saw a “Happy birthday from Roosevelt and Gloria” at some point on your wall if yall were friends!

He loved to travel, making regular pilgrimages to Paris, Tennessee — the small town his grandfather grew up in— and he ate like a man who appreciated every good thing in life: a perfectly cooked steak, slow-smoked BBQ, and a crawfish boil that couldn’t be beat. He had a deep appreciation for the blues, a weakness for a great action movie, and an unshakeable loyalty to his Chicago teams — the Bulls, the Bears, and oh those Chicago White Sox.

Roosevelt was, in every room he entered, the life of the party. He carried that enormous, unforgettable smile (with or without teeth) and a warmth that made strangers feel like family and family feel like everything.

Roosevelt is preceded in death by his parents, Roosevelt Moneyham, Sr. and JewRuther Tharpe; his wife, Fanny Moneyham; his sister, Desiree; and his special nephew, Rickey Welch.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children Cicely (Fred) and Roosevelt III (Danielle); nine grandchildren, Ariel, Kayla, Alphonso Jr., Ayoka, Kendahl, Cameron, LeoJae, Joel, and Jalen; three sisters, Valentine, Gail Denise, Sharon Sue, and Anita Jean; his nieces and nephews, whom he helped raised as his own — Antonio (Tacoe), Otis, Nikkemma, Anthony, Rachel, Joseph, and Shirley; his partner, Gloria; his cousins who were like brothers, Anthony, Curtis Jr., and Rodney; his closest cousin and friend Chris “5, 5, 5”; and a multitude of friends and extended family who will carry his laughter, his cooking, and his spirit with them always.

Roosevelt Moneyham, Jr. never met a stranger, never missed a chance to love somebody, and never once forgot where he came from. May he rest in the peace he always gave to others.