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Former White House butler, 91, dies of coronavirus Wilson Jerman: Ex-White House butler dies of coronavirus
(about 3 hours later)
A former White House butler, one who worked for 11 presidents in a career that spanned five decades, has died of coronavirus. He was 91. A former White House butler, who worked for 11 presidents in a career that spanned five decades, has died of coronavirus aged 91.
It was Jackie Kennedy who noticed Wilson Roosevelt Jerman while he was working as a cleaner in the White House.It was Jackie Kennedy who noticed Wilson Roosevelt Jerman while he was working as a cleaner in the White House.
The former first lady had him promoted, and from then on he worked as a butler. The then First Lady had him promoted, and from then on he worked as a butler.
"She was instrumental in ensuring that that happened," his granddaughter, Jamila Garrett, told FOX 5. "She was instrumental in ensuring that that happened," his granddaughter, Jamila Garrett, told Fox 5.
Decades later Mr Jerman was commemorated by another first lady, appearing in a photo in Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming. Decades later Mr Jerman was commemorated by another First Lady, appearing in a photo in Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming.
He stood out to both the Kennedys, who were in the White House from 1961-63, and the Obamas, who lived there between 2009-17, and for others whom he met at the White House, according to Mr Jerman's family members. Paying tribute after his death, Mrs Obama said her family were "lucky to have known him".
The years that he worked for the Kennedys and the Obamas were just two chapters of a long professional life that spanned more than five decades. "With his kindness and care, Wilson Jerman helped make the White House a home for decades of First Families, including ours," she said in a statement to NBC News.
"His service to others - his willingness to go above and beyond for the country he loved and all those whose lives he touched - is a legacy worthy of his generous spirit."
He died with coronavirus last weekend.He died with coronavirus last weekend.
Mr Jerman's family members say he stood out not just to the Kennedys, who were in the White House during 1961-63, and the Obamas, who lived there from 2009 to 2017, but others he met in his roles.
Mr Jerman's career began in 1957 during the Eisenhower administration. In his last position, he served as a maître d' in the Obama White House.Mr Jerman's career began in 1957 during the Eisenhower administration. In his last position, he served as a maître d' in the Obama White House.
He left his position in 2012, and Obama honoured him with a series of plaques, one that represented each of the presidents he had served, Mr Jerman's granddaughter Shanta Taylor Gay told CNN. He left his position in 2012, and President Obama honoured him with a series of plaques, one that represented each of the presidents he had served, Mr Jerman's granddaughter Shanta Taylor Gay told CNN.
He remains an important figure for those who study the history of African Americans and their role in political life.He remains an important figure for those who study the history of African Americans and their role in political life.
Like other African-American men of his generation, says Ohio State University's Koritha Mitchell, author of From Slave Cabins to the White House, he showed dignity while serving in one of the few positions that was available to him at the time. Like other African-American men of his generation, he showed dignity while serving in one of the few positions that was available to him at the time, said Ohio State University's Koritha Mitchell, author of From Slave Cabins to the White House.
She believes that he must have found it satisfying to end his career in the way that he did. She said he must have found it satisfying to end his career in the way that he did.
He was working for Mr Obama, "a dignified president who was also African-American", she says, adding: "That must have felt like a victory." He was working for Mr Obama, "a dignified president who was also African American", she said, adding: "That must have felt like a victory."