Bishop Hezekiah Ross

 " He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1"      

 Dr. Hezekiah Ross was born to the late Mr. George and Mrs. Ella Ophelia Ross, on March 10, 1929 in Hillard Florida. He was proceeded by sibling; Nathaniel Ross, Walter Phillips, Martha Lannire, Gertrude Murrey, Cassel Green, Ervin Ross, and Mary Scott and Survived by wife Lelia M. Ross of Sanford, Florida, his daughter, Rosalyn (Michael) Nickson, along with their three daughters; Michaela, Kelilah, and Amariah Nickson. His brother Sylvester Ross of Hillard Florida a number of nephews, nieces and grand nephews and nieces.  God Children:  Devolia Harris, Sherily Williams, Barbara (Theobie) Wells, Bobby Wilson, Leonard Wilson and Carla Henry.  God-Grand:  Shaylyn Garcia-Hailekal. Dr. Hezekiah Ross worked as an Itinerant Waiter which first brought him to Sanford, FL in 1948.  In 1950 he was drafted in the US Army, where he met a young man in Korea who was saved, they had Bible Study every other night.  During those Bible Study session his life changed.  When he returned to the United States of America, he stopped in Memphis, Tennessee to the young man’s church and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues.”  Upon returning home he declared he was saved, sanctified, and filled with God’s Heaven’s Ghost and Fire.  In the following years he worked at the Good Samaritan Home and was the Assistant Pastor of West Sanford Freewill Holiness Church.  In 1953, graduated from veterans’ school of Crooms Academy.  In February 1969 he became the first Black Fire Fighter in the city of Sanford FL.  He attended Seminole Community College and Bethune Cookman College.  In 2000, he graduated from the International Seminary with a B.A. Degree in Theology and in 2004 he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity.  In 2004 he became the first Chaplain for City of Sanford Fire Department.  He has been a pillar in the community of Goldsboro for over 60 years.  More important him was his love for God and God’s people’s need for a Savior, for he declared, Jesus Wants You to Be Saved! 
A visitation will take place Friday, August 7th, 2020, from 5-7pm at West Sanford Freewill Holiness Church; 814 S. Mulberry Avenue, Sanford, Fl 32771; Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held Saturday, August 8th, 2020, 11 a.m. Interment is at Oaklawn Cemetery, Sanford, Fl. Arrangement are entrusted into the compassionate hands of Peoples Funeral Home, 1001 E. 25th Street, Sanford, Fl, 32771; Karen Y. Peoples, LFDIC;

,

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bishop Hezekiah Ross, please visit our floral store.