Rev. Richard (Rick) A. Rouse, Sr.

(1951-2010)

Richard A. Rouse found his life's work in helping others. The youngest of Clementine Mathis Rouse's five children, he attended public schools in Little Rock and joined the Navy after graduation. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Little Rock and enrolled at Philander Smith College.

Rick earned a BA degree in education from Philander Smith and continued his studies at the University of Arkansas earning a MA degree in educational administration. Rick taught in the Little Rock Public Schools for two years and then joined the staff at the East Little Rock Community Center. Rick coached several of the Girls' Softball Teams to championship.

As a staff member at the East Little Rock Community Center, Rick worked with a number of young people. He encourage them to complete their education. One young man, Anthony Ingram, lost his mother who was his sole support. Rick and his wife, Faye, adopted him to provide him with a home life and the love and attention he needed. At the time Rick and Faye had two small children, Carol Lynn and Rick, Jr. Following through on the values he learned from our mother, Anthony went to live with Clementine Mathis Rouse. Anthony was lagging badly in his basic studies. Clementine and Rick gave him love and understanding and tutored him until he completed high school.

Rick started his own business in Little Rock supplying software media and technical services to local businesses. In 1987, Rick relocated to Memphis, Tennessee having won a contract with Federal Express.

Rick Was brought up in the C.M.E. church. He and his wife joined and attended church regularly in Memphis. He was called to the ministry of the C.M.E. church and with his wife, Janet, spent the rest of his life ministering to the members of his congregation.

He believed in serving the public. For nine years, Rick was the Program Director for Hardeman County Developmental Service Center. His last position was as deputy clerk for Haywood County Circuit Court. In 2010, he ran unsuccessfully for the office of Clerk for Haywood County Circuit Court.

Rick was a founding member of the Clementine Mathis Rouse Scholarship Fund.