ROOSEVELT HARGETT OBITUARY
Roosevelt Hargett, age 88, owner of the Black Pearl Restaurant & Bar, which was known to many as "Roosevelt's," transitioned into eternal rest on Monday, May 30, 2022. Mr. Hargett was born on October 23, 1933 in Waveland, MS to the late Judge and Viola Hargett. Roosevelt moved to New Orleans while in high school and during his early years, worked at several restaurants around the city. At the age of 20, he married and had one daughter, Beverly Hargett Martin. Roosevelt worked at the Pearl Restaurant on St. Charles Avenue, where he further developed his culinary skills. He later married second wife, the late Velma Johnson Hargett and had another daughter, the late Daphne M. Hargett. He continued to work at the Pearl Restaurant until he decided he would open his own establishment, purchasing a building at 1001 N. Claiborne Avenue in the Treme neighborhood, which he named "The Black Pearl Restaurant & Bar," known to many as Roosevelt's. He happily operated his establishment for well over 35 years, becoming a fixture in the community, always helping out when and where he could. Along with family members, he would hire people from the community, including many who had trouble gaining employment at other places. Roosevelt had a good heart, many times giving food to customers who were short on money and to some who had no money at all. He loved meeting people while cooking, joking with workers and listening to loud music from the bar. He would greet everyone with a wave and smile anywhere he saw you. But on May 8, 2019 the restaurant business came to an end for Roosevelt. The Restaurant Was His Life. He always said he lived his life to the fullest and did everything he Wanted to do. On May 30, 2022, he passed away peacefully at the home of Lucien and Ernestine Payne, along with his personal sitter, Bobbie Payne. In addition to his parents, wife and daughter, Roosevelt is also preceded in death by siblings, Alton, Clarence and Robert, Louvenia, Ruth and Ollie Lee. Survivors include his baby sister, Louise Dawson; daughters, Beverly, Rosie and Toni; grandsons, Gyasi, Adrian and Chanceston; grand-daughters, Rhya and Tynisha, as well as a host of great-grand children, nieces, nephews, cousins, sons and daughters in law, Joe M. and many other relatives and special friends. The family would like to thank every one who has been a part of Roosevelt's special journey. We thank you Poppa. You will be greatly missed! A Celebration service honoring the life and legacy of the late Mr. Roosevelt Hargett will be held at Little Zion Baptist Church in Waveland, MS on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11 AM. Visitation 10 am in the church. Interment Waveland Cemetery. A viewing will be held in the Chapel of Charbonnet Labat Glapion Funeral Home, 1615 St. Philip Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 on Friday, June 10, 2022 from 5pm until 7pm. For the health and safety of all, everyone in attendance is asked to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Please sign online guestbook at www.charbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet Labat Glapion, Directors (504) 581-4411.
Published by The Times-Picayune from Jun. 8 to Jun. 11, 2022.