Leroy Gilbert Jossell

Leroy Gabriel Jossell was born on February 5, 1938, in Alligator, Mississippi, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta—second of ten children born to Jesse James Jossell Sr. and Cordelia Brown Jossell, and grandson of Frank Jossell Sr. and Florence Young of Edwards, Mississippi. He attended school in Marks, Mississippi, where he grew up, and graduated from Marks Industrial High School in 1957.

Baptized at Silent Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Marks, Mississippi, where his mother played piano, Leroy’s faith took root early and guided him all his life. He loved his parents deeply and felt a profound duty to preserve his father’s memory. Leroy often shared how, as a teenager, his father’s life changed when his own father, Frank, died—forcing him to leave school and support his family. He wanted that story remembered not as a tragedy, but as a testament to the strength, faith, and perseverance that defined their bloodline.

Whether working side by side in the cotton fields or sharing laughter that only they understood, he, his brother Jesse Jr., and his sister Teretha carried each other through life’s seasons. When “Tea” married, Leroy proudly stood as her best man—a moment that reflected the depth of their connection. Nothing could brighten his face quite like hearing her voice.

Jesse Jr. became his guiding light. In a world with few role models, Leroy followed his brother’s example as proof that dreams could come true. They both attended Coahoma Junior College, graduated from Jackson State University, majored in Science, joined the U.S. Army, and eloped to get married.

Driven by a spirit of self-determination, Leroy made his own mark—even changing his middle name from Gabriel to Gilbert as a declaration of identity and independence. He earned his Associate degree from Coahoma in 1959 and, while working full-time, graduated proudly from Jackson State in 1961—a semester early.

Although he couldn’t walk across the stage at that time due to being drafted into the U.S. Army, he was overjoyed to do so at his 50th anniversary in 2001. He continued graduate work in geology at several universities before earning a Master’s from Tyndale Theological Seminary and pursuing doctoral studies in Bible and Theology at Louisiana Baptist University in Shreveport.

Before joining the military, he married his college sweetheart, Florida Belle Thomas of Belen, Mississippi. He served two years at Spangdahlem Air Force Base in Germany, completing his assignment as an SP4 with the 4th Missile Battalion, 6th Artillery. During those two years abroad, he experienced a freedom he had never known. Some Germans, recognizing his dignity and intellect, asked why he would return to America, where he would be treated as inferior simply for being a Black man in the Jim Crow South. His answer was simple and full of love: “My family is there.”

After returning from the military, God blessed their marriage with two sons: Keith Orlando and Jeffrey LaWren. His wife, Florida, supported him every step of the way, even when it meant

starting over in her career to embrace the opportunities God was providing. Together, they shared a vision not just of creating opportunities for their own family, but also for other young people—helping them discover who they are and whose they are.

Leroy was proud of his identity and the community from which he came. When asked, “Daddy, why do you display these pictures of shotgun houses standing in the middle of the cotton fields?” he would answer with quiet certainty, “We must never forget where we come from.” Those images were more than pictures—they were reminders of resilience, roots, and history. That grounding shaped every step of his life: it made him humble, never boastful; it instilled in him a tireless work ethic, and it taught him that nothing was simply given—everything had to be earned.

Leroy loved his family deeply and being a Jossell. His devotion to them was the foundation of everything he did. He was devoted to his wife and loved his sons, Keith and Jeffrey, giving everything he had and doing the best he knew how to provide them with every opportunity to succeed. He treated their wives like his own daughters, embracing them with the same care, pride, and generosity that defined his spirit. His grandchildren knew that his love for them was “big much and bigger than the universe.”

Papa / Papa J beamed whenever his grandchildren were near. He encouraged their dreams, celebrated their efforts, and took pride in watching each of them rise in their own way—whether through their creative and artistic genius, playing college basketball, working in the NBA, or achieving in school and life. Every milestone mattered to him—from the smallest success to the soaring moment when two became Eagle Scouts—because in all of them, he saw his love, his lessons, and his legacy continuing.

Daddy loved his catfish, his German chocolate cake, the crunch of roasted peanuts, and those golden-fried lemon pies—Delta comfort that tasted like home. He delighted in taking us to JSU football games, convinced that Jackson offered the absolute best combination of football and band, especially the Sonic Boom of the South, and he loved cheering for THEE I LOVE.

As the family historian, he carried the stories, names, and memories that connected generations. Before his illness limited his ability to be physically present, he showed up for everything—weddings, graduations, funerals, birthdays, and family gatherings of all kinds. He was equally there for the in-laws of our extended family, showing up during their times of loss and grief, offering strength, presence, and prayer when it mattered most. During difficult times—when loss occurred, needs arose, or tensions increased—he was there. His support might not always have been gentle, but it was always sincere, rooted in love, and focused on meeting the need of the moment.

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A Life of Leadership and Service

After receiving an honorable discharge, Leroy became a Science Teacher in 1963 at East Side High School in Cleveland, Mississippi—the segregated school that served the Black community

with pride and purpose. His excellence soon led to his recruitment as Scoutmaster of Troop 307, where his leadership transformed the troop into a model of Black excellence.

For a decade, he mentored hundreds of young men through Troop 307 and Explorer Post 307, shaping their lives with discipline, faith, and confidence. Under his steady hand, membership in both the troop and the post grew to more than sixty, and ten Scouts earned the rank of Eagle—including one who represented Mississippi at the World Scout Jamboree in the Philippines in 1971. In a movement that often questioned whether boys of color could rise to its highest ideals, Leroy proved they could not only meet them—they could soar beyond them.

When schools were ordered to desegregate, the promise of equality was often betrayed. Gifted Black educators were reassigned to white schools, while struggling white teachers were sent to Black ones. In that shuffle, Leroy—an award-winning science educator and department chair—was moved from his high school to a middle school, where he was still expected to share his innovative methods with the new chair.

Recognizing the impact he was already making through Troop 307, Leroy envisioned multiplying that influence by starting new troops for young boys of color across the South. After a year in that diminished role, he joined the Boy Scouts of America full-time, where his leadership and vision could no longer be confined by a system that failed to see his worth but could never deny his excellence.

When a later promotion relocated the family to Kenner, Louisiana, Leroy enrolled his sons in a local troop—only to find that racism persisted there as well. Refusing to retreat, he approached Reverend A.P. Clay of Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church and received approval to start Troop 37. He initially served as Scoutmaster himself, mentoring a new generation of young men while still working full-time as a professional Scouter.

Believing that every young Black boy deserved the same access to leadership, learning, and adventure as any other, Leroy dedicated his life to making that vision a reality—continuing that mission after moving to Dallas, Texas. Partnering with Deacon Frank Beverly and, with the blessing of Senior Pastor J. Lee Foster, he helped launch Troop 118 at First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park—the third troop he was proud to help build.

In 1987, a quiet prayer of the heart was answered when he was appointed to serve at the national level of the Boy Scouts of America—a dream he had kept private and only spoke aloud after God brought it to pass. He was promoted to the Southern Region as Associate Regional Director of Program, helping councils across the South strengthen inclusion and excellence. He later served as National Director of Registration and Statistical Services, coordinating National and World Jamborees and shaping systems that supported thousands of youth.

Leroy was called to serve the Lord and His people through the life of the Church as well. His calling led him to share the Word as a guest speaker at many churches and to teach at the Baptist Congress of Christian Education, where his wisdom and deep understanding of Scripture touched countless lives. He lived that calling with faithfulness and joy—serving as a Deacon, Trustee,

and Teacher at St. Paul Baptist Church in Cleveland, Mississippi, and Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Kenner, Louisiana.

At First Baptist, he continued that service with unwavering dedication—serving as an Usher, Deacon, Coordinator of the Bus Ministry, and as a member of the J. Lee Foster School of Biblical Studies staff.

When asked to lead the Bus Ministry, Leroy poured his gifts of organization, detail, and tireless effort into the work. He built a team strong enough to share the load so that no one would grow weary. Because of his leadership, the church expanded its fleet—buses that still serve to this day. His goal was never recognition; it was simple and sacred: that everyone who wanted to worship in God’s house could get there.

At First Baptist, he was honored as Man of the Year—a reflection of his humility, steadfast faith, and deep love for his church family.

Leroy’s legacy of love continues through his devoted wife of 64 years, Florida; his sons, Keith and Jeffrey; his daughter-in-law, Charlesetta; his former daughter-in-law, Samantha Bell Jossell; his grandchildren, David Caldwell, Leah Harlin (Tay), Jonathan Jossell, and Nathan Jossell; and his great-grandson, Ryder Hernandez, and great-granddaughter, Amia Harlin.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jesse Jossell Jr.

He leaves to honor his legacy his siblings: Teretha Walton (Jesse) of Peoria, Illinois; Ivy Buck of Rochester, New York; George Jossell of Justin, Texas; Gladys Jossell of Harvey, Illinois; Michael Jossell (Evelyn) of Marks, Mississippi; Faye Jossell of Dalton, Illinois; Vera Moffitt (Robert) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Sharon Jossell of Glenwood, Illinois—along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, beloved friends, and adopted sons and daughters whose lives he touched.

Leroy’s life was a testament to service, purpose, and grace—and his memory will forever inspire those blessed to know and love him.