Mr. Roland William Jacobs

Mr. Roland William Jacobs obituary

Mr. Roland William Jacobs

Roland Jacobs Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Palmer Memorial Chapel - Sumter on Nov. 26, 2025.
Roland William Jacobs passed away peacefully at home in Sumter, SC after a long-time battle with prostate cancer. Roland William Jacobs was born in Logantown, Liberia as the youngest of thirteen children to Leslie Bola Jacobs and Julia Cooper Jacobs. Roland moved to the United States at a young age, living in Queens, New York with an older sibling. Placing a high value on education, Roland earned degrees from Cameron University in Lawton, OK, where he studied political science, economics, business and counseling. He later taught graduate psychology at Cameron University at night and provided family counseling to troubled teens and families at Marie Detty Counseling Services in Lawton, during the day.

He played professional football (American soccer) for the Liberian National Team and the New York Cosmos team. His love for airplanes led Roland to join the United State Air Force in 1973 to start his journey to officer training then pilot training. What he did not know that that the USAF did not accept anyone with corrective lenses to become a pilot, during those days. Heartbroken, he asked for and was given an honorable discharge. Roland's hobbies included building and flying model airplanes. As a introvert, he spent many hours with all types of electronics.

In 1972, he married R. Cynthia Wesley and they raised their children Roland II and Brandy around the world in the Netherlands, Germany and around the continental United States. He was the strong glue that held his family together for more than 50 years.

Roland was preceded in death by his parents, nine siblings, and many dear aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife R. Cynthia Jacobs of Sumter, SC, his son Roland William (Monica A. Coleman) Jacobs II of Wilmington, DE, his daughter Brandiese Ebony Jacobs (Keith) Beverly of Morrisville, NC, granddaughters Arianna Beverly and Karina Beverly and grandson Lincoln William Jacobs and step-grandson Harlem Coleman-Datcher, sister Leslie (Pryde) Bass of University Heights, OH, sister Martha Jacobs of Cleveland, OH and sister Prudence Jacobs of New York City, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the family and cancer research. You can donate HERE.

Link: https://angelink.com/fundraiser-public/5ef550bd-40df-4fad-a4a0-a17457a0f833

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Palmer Memorial Chapel - Sumter

304 South Main Street P.O. Box 2127, Sumter, SC 29150

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