One of White House’s longest-serving employees dies from coronavirus aged 91
ONE of the White House’s longest-serving employees has passed away from coronavirus at the age of 91.
Wilson Roosevelt Jerman lost his COVID-19 battle on Friday after serving 11 presidents as a cleaner, doorman, and butler since 1957.
The longtime staffer worked at the Washington DC residence until 2012, working for a multitude of American leaders from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Barack Obama.
Jerman’s eldest granddaughter, Jamila Garrett, paid tribute to him in conversation with FOX 5, describing him as a “family-loving, genuine man.”
“He was always about service, service to others. It didn’t matter who you were, what you did, or what you needed,” she told the station of his 55-years as a staffer.
Garrett described how Jerman started his West Wing career as a cleaner before the Kennedy administration before he “built relationships with the president and Jackie O.”
He was always about service, service to others.
Jamila Garrett
“Jackie O actually promoted him to a butler,” his granddaughter recalled.
She described how the former first lady was instrumental in Jerman’s career progression in the 1960s.
“When Butch Senior [George Bush Sr] and moves his family in to the White House, George Bush Jr has a little trouble adapting,” Garrett continued.
“My grandfather would actually sit with him in his bedroom until he fell asleep.”
She also praised former first lady, Michelle Obama, whose husband was the last president Jerman worked for at the White House.
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She included a photo of Garrett’s grandfather in her recent memoir “Becoming.”
Garrett said: “I want to say thank you so much, so much to Michelle Obama for including him in her book.
“You know, just considering that we aren’t able to grieve normally, physically together, that is one way that we are able to still feel connected to his success and connected to so much that he promoted around authenticity and building relationships.”
Garrett mentioned the Bush and Obama administration[/caption]