John E. Booker was born on September 14, 1925, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Rev. Willie S. Booker and Arena Jones Booker. John was the second of nine siblings.

At the age of about seven or eight years old, the family moved from Memphis, Tennessee, to West Memphis, Arkansas. While residing in West Memphis, John accepted Christ as his personal Savior at Reed's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He later moved his membership to Zion Missionary Baptist Church where his father was the pastor.

John Booker was educated in the Arkansas School System. He attended Arkansas AM&N College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Baptist College in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The family moved to Earle, Arkansas, and during this time, John enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in World War II from 1944 until the latter part of 1946. By then, his family had moved to Gammonville, Arkansas. There, he reconnected with his former sweetheart, Margaret Jamison, and they were united in holy matrimony on March 28, 1948; to this union, seven children were born.

Upon moving to Memphis, Rev. Booker opened two Sundry and Pastry shops, one in the Binghampton community, the other in the Orange Mound community. After closing the stores, he opened Spotless Cleaners, in Orange Mound. He was also employed at Kennedy Hospital.

In 1958, John was ordained to preach the gospel at Beulah Baptist Church where Dr. W. C. Holmes was pastor. His first pastorship was at Lake Grove Baptist Church in Jericho, Arkansas (services held on the second and fourth Sundays). Shortly thereafter, he was elected to pastor Central Baptist Church, Bartlett, Tennessee (services held the first and third Sundays). In 1973, Rev. Booker was elected Pastor of St. Peter's Rock Baptist Church where he served as pastor for 49 years.

Rev. Dr. Booker achieved much during his tenure at St. Peter’s Rock:

· A church bus was purchased.

· Attendance and participation in the National Baptist Congress were encouraged.

· A Day Care Center was established.

· A Religious Bookstore was organized to serve the community.

· The Showers of Inspiration Radio Broadcast was initiated.

During his tenure, Pastor Booker served in the following roles:

· Moderator of the Union District Association for fifteen years

· Vice-President at Large of the State Convention for ten years

· Member of the President’s Advisory Board of the National Baptist Convention’s Moderator’s Department for twelve years.

· President of the Christian Ministers’ Alliance for four years

· Trustee of the Arkansas Baptist College

Under the pastorship of Dr. Booker, the church was relocated from 1401 West 18th Street to 2201 Brown Street. Due to failing health, Dr. Booker resigned from the pastorage of St. Peter’s Rock on May 22, 2022.

Pastor Booker was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Booker; one sister, Maggie Booker; and five brothers, Roosevelt, Randle, Eli, Louis and Willie.

Rev. Dr. John E. Booker, Sr. leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his remarkable life: two brothers, Rev. Jessie Booker of Earle, Arkansas, and Rev. Richard Booker (Sharon) of Kendleton, Texas; six daughters, Geraldine Morris, Alta Ware (Michael), Myrtle Evans (Robert) of Little Rock, Arkansas, Jacqueline Scruggs (Keith), Patricia Glover (James), and Eddie Boga; one son, John E. Booker, Jr.; nine grandchildren, Sefu Uhuru (Phucha), Michelle Lee, Patrice Glover-Dunn (Larry), Michael Ware, Jr., Rodney Evans (Carnita), James Glover, Jr., Marcey Wright (Kevin), LaChelle Boga, and Daniel Boga; fifteen great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and his St. Peter’s Rock Church Family.

The family will receive friends Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at RS Lewis & Sons 2944 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38111.

Rev. Booker will lie in state Friday, June 21, 2024 from 9:30am- 10:55am with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00am both will be held at St. Peter Rock Baptist Church 2201 S Brown St, Little Rock, AR 72204. Another Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 10:00am- 11:55am with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 12:00 noon both will be held at St. John Baptist Church 1656 Pendleton St, Memphis, TN 38114.

Internment will be Monday, June 24, 2024 at 12:00 noon in Calvary Cemetery 1663 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106