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Life and Legacy of Rosetta Johnson
A.K.A. “Rose The Great”
Every so often when the Creator gets on His kick of creating and manifesting, He gets to relish in the opportunity of sending a life force so strong to Earth that He has to pat himself on the back and be sure to break the mold so the magic of this one person isn’t duplicated or imitated. Ladies and Gentlemen, one such opportunity was the birth of Ms. Rosetta Johnson.
Born on August 16, 1937, in a little town in Arkansas to James and Louaddie Johnson, she was the first of ten children, and believe you me, they each have left their marks. Rosetta was no different.
She was the boom in the fireworks and the “ooh” and “ahh” of refreshment. She didn’t believe in talking as acting on her choices and fully thriving in and enjoying her 84 years of Life were the way she chose to live. After the way of many Johnsons before and after her, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at a young age and always called Madden Temple COGIC her church home while living in Kansas. In the early 90’s she moved to California to be with her older daughters. Here her church home was Greater St. Paul COGIC under the leadership of Supt. Bill LeVias. She served God faithfully in various capacities but none better than those said by the Apostle Paul, where he tells us that we too are walking epistles and that our lives will be the testimony and legacy we leave.
Rosetta inherited the family home once owned by her parents in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, KS and became a housekeeper for various hotels before switching to a better suited career of servitude in nursing as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant for over 35 years until she retired. She took great pride in her work and the standards she set as evidenced through the seeds her tree now leaves behind.
Born to Rose the Great and still here to carry on her legacy are two sons Theodus (Charmin) and Marquette “Mark” (Lisa) and five daughters, Elaine (Lee Banks, Sr.), Easter (Terri), Iva Jean, Toni Marie, and Darlene, a total of 19 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild who are either already well on their way to doing great things or enjoying their youth before embarking on the journey ahead. Each stand their ground just as Rose the Great did. Each are courageous and embody the grace and morals that were instilled by their mother, grandmother and friend. And just as she was before them, each are deeply rooted and grounded in family, integrity, and togetherness.
Rosetta’s love for family and life were most evident in the late 1990’s when a medical condition caused paralysis from the waist down. Not knowing if return was a point she could even reach, Rosetta did physical therapy until her legs carried her around just as they had done before. Her brother, Tom, surprised her with a little encouragement by bringing a whole host of nieces, nephews, and Rosetta’s grandchildren to California to visit her from Kansas City, KS. The boost was everything she needed as it brought tears to her eyes and full recovery soon followed after.
In addition to being an independent woman with a thirst for life that she was all too eager to quench, Rosetta also enjoyed music, dancing, singing, ice cream, traveling, amusement parks, learning new things, reading (if we could have a dollar for every time, we would say we are bored, and she’d tell us to get a book and read). She considered herself a foodie, and don’t even get her started on her Chiefs and Jayhawks! Through all of the ups and downs, Rosetta insisted on maintaining her independence. She volunteered in the community, joined the Red Hat Club, and frequented the senior center where she made many friends. She was an advocate for racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights.
Every day was a brand-new beginning for her with laughter and love. She was a social butterfly among friends and completely sassy, funny and blunt with everyone else. To know her was an experience that none of us will ever forget. She didn’t like to complain and was always kind, generous, and ready to lend a helping hand. She spoiled everyone she met with love, especially her children and grandchildren, and they in return did the same. She was very proud of all her children and their children and loved to brag about their accomplishments in life.
Rosetta’s light left this Earth early on the morning of December 10, 2021. She leaves to grieve her absence the aforementioned children and grandchildren along with an entire host of niece's nephews and friends. Meeting her at the heavenly gates were her parents James and Louaddie, her brothers Tom, Sr. (Jean), James, Jr., Leroy (Jonie), and Sylvester, Sr. (Lowanta), her sisters, Beatrice and Maime Lee, daughter Mary Frances Ann, son in law, Lee Banks, and grandson Jordan.
Love, family, perseverance and determination is key to a happy life and success. Pieces of our hearts and souls are gone forever. Rosetta the Great will be missed every day for the rest of our lives.
Visitation (public) will be held on Saturday January 22,2022 from 9 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. at Lakeside C.O.G.I.C. 2600 N 91St Street Kansas City KS 66109.
Religious Service will follow at the Church at 11:00 A.M.
Arrangements: Thatcher's Funeral Home
Interment at Maple Hill Cemetery Kansas City, KS.
thatcherfh@sbcglobal.net
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