Israel E. Rollins Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Israel Edward Rollins, Sr. departed this life Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at his home in St. Petersburg, Florida surrounded by loving family and caregivers. He was born August 2, 1933 in Archer, Florida to the late Robert and Carrie Rollins. His parents and fourteen of his seventeen brothers and sisters preceded him in death. He attended Alachua County public schools and graduated from Archer Negro High School and Gibbs Vocational and Technical School in St. Petersburg, Florida. Israel accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized at a young age. In 1963, he was joined in holy matrimony with Bennie Mae Billups and their union was blessed with the birth of two sons; Israel Jr., and Byron. Under the leadership of Dr. John A. Evans, Sr., Mr. Rollins faithfully served Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in numerous capacities including Deacon Board, Usher Board, and the Men’s Sunday School Class. After graduating from high school, Israel served in the U.S. Army during the occupation and reconstruction of West Germany after the second World War and received an honorable discharge as a corporal. After his distinguished military service, Israel moved to St. Peterburg, Florida and ventured into entrepreneurship establishing a number of small, yet successful construction businesses while holding the distinction of being one of the few African American general contractors in Pinellas County, Florida; completing over seventy homes for the City of St. Petersburg under the Property Rehabilitation and Urban Redevelopment Program. His skill, dedication, and mastery of the construction trade led him to administrative roles including Construction Manager, Mid-County Pinellas Disaster Resource Coalition where he led the rebuilding of Danville, Florida; hard-hit by a devasting tornado in 1992. Israel also served as Director of Construction with St. Petersburg Youth Builders Program, where he taught construction skills to countless at-risk youth through the rehabilitation of low-income housing. Israel espoused leadership and personal responsibility as he challenged them to assume major roles in the construction process. Active in his community, Israel worked with disadvantaged youth by sponsoring Little League Baseball teams and serving as president of the Gulfport (FL) Little League. Israel leaves to cherish his memory; his devoted wife of 58 years, Bennie; sons Israel Jr. and Byron; and four grandchildren: Amber, Jamen, Ethan, and Asher. Also grieving are brothers Columbus Rollins (Daisy) and Robert Rollins (Louise) as well as a host of loving nieces, nephews, dear relatives, and sorrowing friends.

Tributes

Israel E. Rollins Sr.

August 2, 1933 - May 11, 2022