Robert Major

Bro. Robert Earl Major, the son of Joseph Major and Georgia Henry Major was born January 2, 1934 in Hopkinsville, (Christian County), Kentucky.

He professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized as a member of the Durrett Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. D.W. Roberts.

He attended Christian County Public Schools and received an Award of Honor Certificate from the “White House” for punctual and regular attendance and having been present each day of the entire school term which merited the award.  In 1948, he attended Attucks High School (Hopkinsville, KY), graduating in 1952 as Valedictorian.

Robert furthered his education and attended West Kentucky Vocational School (now University of Kentucky), Paducah, Kentucky.  Out of 62 students and a plethora of studies, he was the only graduate with the certificate in Maintenance Engineering in July 1954.  He was later drafted to the Department of the US Army in March 1955 at Ft. Leonard in Wood, Missouri and was assigned to civil service commission as Electrician and received his Honorable Discharge in 1962.

Robert Earl Major was united in Holy Matrimony to Nancy Elizabeth Bradley on October 25, 1958.  To this union, two children were born, Roderick Earl and Nan ‘Arlisa.  Their journey of love endured for 60 years and 6 months until his life’s departure.

Robert and Nancy relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana and in 1960 they became members of the Greater St. James Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. T.A. Clark, Sr.  Bro. Major was a dedicated “Servant of the Lord.”  He was active with the church as a director of the Male Chorus, as a Trustee and he served on the church’s finance committee for over 30 years.

Bro. Major continued working for the United States Government as a Mail Handler for the United States Post Office for 30 years, 10 months and 4 days, retiring in November 1990.  A longtime friend later asked Robert to return to work after he retired but to work part-time with the Union Federal National Bank.  He applied and worked full-time from 1991 to 2006.

When his kids were involved with activities at Forest Manor neighborhood youth sports program,  Bro. Major was a baseball umpire.  He also enjoyed playing golf and even won two golf tournaments for the United States Post Office League (downtown branch).

Bro. Major was known for his love and devotion to his loving wife.  When you saw one, there was the other.  He always hummed a song, day and night.  He loved quartets, gospel, R&B and especially blues.  He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, relative and friend.  He was a quiet strength.  He will be remembered for his excellent sense of style!  A young man’s man, he had a melodious voice and a kind spirit.  Our family discussed never, ever hearing him say a cuss word.  During his failing health, he never complained or seemed to murmur a negative thought.  He will be greatly missed by many whose lives he touched at church, work or around our neighborhood of 51 years.  He met no strangers.

Bro. Robert Earl Major departed this life on April 25, 2019 at four score, five months and three days (Psalm 90).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Georgia Henry Major; brothers, Joseph Jr., Phillip and Charles “Buddy” Major; sisters, Clara Wills and Derfla Jean Whiteside.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Nancy E. Major; son, Roderick E. (Christie) Major; daughter, Nan ‘Arlisa Girton; grandchildren, Roderick Earl Major Jr., Kellie Patrice Major, David Bernard Girton Jr. and Elizabeth Frances Girton; seven great-grandchildren along with a host of family and friends.

Humbly Submitted,

The Family

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