Roy C. Breedlove

Roy Carlton Breedlove was one of 3 children born to Willie and Jean Breedlove in Danville, VA. As the middle child, Roy grew up with older brother, Booker Donnell Breedlove (1948-1988) and younger brother Walter Edward Breedlove. He attended elementary school in Pittsylvania County; Southside High School in Blairs, VA; and graduated with a B.S in Accounting from Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA.

He first met his future wife, Sophronia Gunter at Southside. They later met again while both attending Virginia State University. Roy and Sophronia married on September 21, 1970 and to that union they welcomed four beautiful and loving children: Roy Carlton Breedlove II (1970-2018); Leigh Ann Breedlove of Bloomington, IL; Chantal Breedlove-Hawkins of Frankfort, IL; and Charlie Breedlove of Frankfort, IL.

Roy celebrated many accomplishments in life. He enlisted in the Army 82nd Airborne of Fort Bragg, NC. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP, the Alpha Phi Alpha Nu Psi Lambda Chapter, and a member of the Toast Masters. He was baptized and a member of White Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Ringgold, VA. When he moved to Bloomington-Normal, IL, he became a member of Wayman A.M.E. Church. Roy was a member of Wayman’s choir and on the church board. He was one of the founding members of Mulberry School, a private educational institution in Bloomington, IL. He enjoyed fishing and was an avid golfer and loyal fan of “Da Bears”.

Roy is survived by his loving wife Sophronia “Bree” Breedlove; daughters Chantal and Leigh Ann; and son Charlie. He welcomed 9 wonderful grandchildren: Chelsea Lang Yancey, Brennan Breedlove, Sheldon Breedlove, Arianna Breedlove, Riley Flowers, Cora Jean Hawkins, Jackson Breedlove, Braelynn Geiger, and Liam Geiger; and one great-grandchild Sophia Breedlove. Always by his side were his in-laws who were family more by bond than just through marriage: sister-in-law Deborah Gunter and brother-in-law Roger Gunter and his wife Marilynn and their daughters Andrea, Roglynn, and LaChia; sister-in-law Rhonda Breedlove and her daughters Carla and Nina.

Roy will always be remembered for his fortitude of strength. He fought many health challenges starting in the Summer of 1995 with a ruptured brain aneurism. Later, he battled polycystic kidney disease that would result in him losing both his native kidneys and going on dialysis. With his faith in God and love of family and dear friends, he fought through these and other health hurdles for over 30 years.

The family of Roy Breedlove would like to give a special thank you to all of the family friends who have provided their love and friendship through all the years. A very special thank you to Dan and Barbara Parker for visiting Roy in the hospital as he began his final transition to his next home. We are truly blessed to have so many family and family friends who give their love and support to us – we are truly blessed.

We are so thankful for the many loving and humorous memories that Roy has given us over the years. He will always be remembered as Husband, Dad, Papa, and that guy who looks like Richard Pryor. Thank you for all of your love, Roy. We know that you are sitting in your brown fold-up chair beside Lil’ Roy as you are both cheering the Chicago Bears to victory!

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort IL 60423 on Saturday, September 14th, 2024 from 12:30 PM until time of the funeral service at 1:30 PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation pkdcure.org would be appreciated. 

The funeral service for Roy will be livestreamed on this website. Please click on the link below 10 minutes before the service starts at 1:30 PM.

https://www.asimplestreaming.com/rcbreedlove