Frederick Everett Royall Jr.

Frederick Everett Royall, Jr, affectionately known as “Fred”, the second of two children, was born October 5, 1943 in Peterburg, Virginia to Frederick Everett Royall, Sr. and Ruth Chapman Royall. His parents and sister, Ruth Royall Hill preceded his transition. He loved and adored his sister.

Fred accepted Christ at the age of 12, where he was confirmed at Saint Stephens Episcopal Church in Petersburg, Virginia. Shortly after becoming a member, he became an Acolyte, and later became a cross-bearer, leading the Priest in the ceremonial processions. Fred also attended Sunday school and sang in the Saint Stephens childrens choir.

Fred matriculated through the Petersburg public school system, graduating in the 1962 class of Peabody High school.  He continued his education at Virginia State College where he met the love of his life, Gracie Delores Spraggins, who captivated him from the onset.  Fred proposed to Gracie and they were married in February of 1965 in Washington, DC.  Out of their union, the couple were blessed with two children, Traci Renee Royall and Frederick Everett Royall, III.

Fred’s early career began in 1965, where he became the first African American hired at the then segregated Pan American Airways in Washington DC. He quickly ascended through the ranks of Pan American through senior management where he often interfaced with the United States executive branch of government, leading delegations on behalf of Pan Am.  Included in one of his many trips abroad, he accompanied the United States Secretary of Transportation throughout Russia in the early 70’s. Also notable early in his career, he accompanied US delegations throughout China (he was among one of the first Americans to visit China after the Communist led Mao Government)Tau Sung opened up the then closed Communist China).  Fred was also one of the first Americans to travel on the Concorde. He loved traversing the world for many years both professionally and personally, often accompanied by Gracie.

While with Pan Am, Fred subsequently moved his young family from the Washington metropolitan area in 1979 to Miami, and after two years, to Houston before returning to the Washington metropolitan area in 1983. 

Fred eventually left Pan Am to work with American Express travel, where he continued to travel the world. He retired from American Express following a kidney transplant (lovingly donated by his cousin Carita Hernandez).

As a carryover from his high school days, Fred enjoyed playing the bongos and drums at local establishments in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Affectionately, he was known as “Part-time Freddy”. He also enjoyed teaching aspiring percussionists and playing the bongos whenever cheered on at family events.

Fred was a voracious reader, and loved music, crossword puzzles, traveling and most of all spending quality time with his family whom he treasured. He loved to enjoin singing the song “we are family” at family gatherings. 

In 1987 Fred became a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Rockville Maryland, where he was a member of the Tribe of Ephraim, The Men's Fellowship group, and was a morning church service greeter, often with Gracie.

Fred leaves a rich legacy of Christian manhood, and a host of friends who touched his life in so many ways. Most of all he leaves his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Gracie Delores Royall; loving daughter Traci Renee Royall; son Frederick Everett Royall, III (Karmen); adoring grandchildren Jonathan Alexander, Brianna Alexis, Frederick Everett, IV and Grant Alexander Royall; two sisters-in-law, Frances Waters and Maggie Kingwood and brother-in-law, Carl Spraggins. Fred also leaves loyal cousins who were always by his side including, Sandra Hailes Kilgore, Shirley Powell, Esther Tucker and Danika Hernandez Stubbs, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Frederick Everett Royall, Jr. was a true Virginia Gentleman.

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