Bishop Roy Lee Foots

A revered Pastor, Civic Leader, Gospel Recording Artist, Conference Speaker, and Counselor, Bishop Roy L. Foots was born to the late Thomas Foots and Louise Powell Foots on April 30, 1946, in Littleton, North Carolina. He answered the sweet call of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at his home in Midlothian, Virginia, surrounded by his loving family.
During his early life, Bishop Foots was baptized and became a member of the Fidelity Baptist Church in the Summit Community of Littleton, North Carolina, and was very active in the work and worship of the church. Even after relocating from the area, he continued to support the efforts of the church and never departed from the foundation of its purpose. He began to proclaim God's word in 1970, and received his Doctor of Divinity from Miller University School of Theology in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1979.
Bishop Foots received his formal education in the Halifax County Public School System and graduated with the class of 1965 from the former McIver High School in Littleton, North Carolina.
On June 15, 1968, Bishop Foots was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, Laura Silver. God blessed them with three beautiful daughters, Sherri F. Hunter (Anthony), Shunta F. Summers (Sedgewick), and Shanet F. Beatty (Edward), and also nine precious grandchildren: Jadin Caldwell, Joseph Caldwell, Jr., Sean Summers, Seth Summers, Saul Summers, Sloane Summers, Elijah Foots, Emmanuel Foots, and Shana Beatty.
In 1999, under the Divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Foots and Co-Pastor, Laura Foots, founded New Direction Evangelistic Church in Richmond, Virginia, with only twelve members. Under their leadership and guidance, the church membership has increased tremendously, and ministries have flourished to include community outreach services, prison ministry, radio and television broadcasts, and Childcare and Learning Centers.
In addition to his parents, Bishop Foots was preceded in death by five siblings, Thomas Foots, Jr., Cleopatra Foots, Ella F. Fleming, Irene F. Robinson, and Rev. Annie F. Hicks.
The love, legacy, and treasured memories of his life will be forever cherished by his devoted wife, Laura S. Foots; his three daughters and sons-in-law; his nine grandchildren; his siblings, Geraldine F. Pearson, Madeline F. Evans, Rev. Altony Foote, Sr. (Gloria), and Rebecca F. Evans (Steven); his brothers-in-law: Louis "Duke" Robinson, John Hicks, Rev. John Silver, Sr. (Odia), Horace Hedgepeth (Yvonne), Tyrone Hedgepeth, Jeffery Hedgepeth (Otelia), and Shelby Wayne Hedgepeth (Kimberly); his sisters-in-law: Barbara Leonard (Milton), Clara H. Mayo, Laura Edwards (Milton Ray), and Pauline Dixon (Jeremiah); and a host of nieces, nephews, church family, and a multitude of other relatives and friends who will all remember the positive impact he had on their lives.
An initial viewing will be held from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, at New Direction Evangelistic Church, 9101 Hull Street Road, Richmond, VA 23236, and visitation will follow from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the church. The final viewing will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 10:45 a.m. at the church. Entombment will take place at the Dale Memorial Park, 10201 Newbys Ridge Road, Chesterfield, VA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to New Direction Evangelistic Church in support of either the Youth Ministry or Street Ministry. Condolences may be sent to March Funeral Home, www marchfuneralhomevirginia.com