Hesteen (Smith) Rosenthall

Life’s Reflection

Hesteen Smith Rosenthall, born on July 29, 1939, in Kansas City, Kansas, departed this life at age 79 on Monday, November 19, 2018, at Providence Place.  She was the oldest of four children born to Cecil Smith and Robirda Stephens Smith.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Rodney Harris; her sister, Erma Mitchell; her brother, Jemmie Smith, Sr.; and her nephew, Cecil Charles Smith, Jr.

Hesteen professed her faith in Christ at an early age at the Antioch Baptist Church.  As an adult, she became a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she faithfully served the Lord as a Choir Member, Sunday School teacher of the Primary Class, and secretary of the Mission Department until her health began to fail.

Hesteen was educated in the Kansas City, Kansas, School District and graduated from Sumner High School in 1958.  She married Albert Harris, and two sons were born to this union.  She later married Aron Rosenthall who preceded her in death in 1989.  Hesteen held a number of jobs after high school, but her favorite was in the Police Administration Office of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department where she worked for 25 years until she retired in 2001.  Hesteen loved to travel, and after she retired, she traveled whenever she got the chance.  She also loved to help people and worked as an in-home caregiver for those in need, as well as running errands for friends and anyone who needed help, including taking them grocery shopping and to various appointments which she did until her health finally failed her.  But even as her health failed, she still enjoyed talking with her friends and visiting with people and watching her “stories”, court shows, and Chiefs football on television until God called her home.

Hesteen leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Timothy Smith, Kansas City, Kansas and Anthony Harris, Kansas City, Kansas; one brother, Cecil Charles Smith, Sr., Kansas City, Kansas; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Smith, Kansas City, Kansas; and Elora Smith, Kansas City, Kansas; two grandchildren, Chandrell Smith and Shelith Harris; six nephews, William Mitchell (Shandra), Raymore, Missouri; Patrick Mitchell, Kansas City, Kansas; Frederick Mitchell, Kansas City, Kansas; Jemmie Smith, Jr. Kansas City, Kansas; Levi Jordan (Linda), Kansas City, Missouri; and Brian Jordan, Kansas City, Kansas; three nieces, Venita Smith, Kansas City, Kansas; Pamela Smith, Kansas City, Missouri; and Lisa Walton (Lenny), Kansas City, Kansas; a host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

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