Rosa “Rosie” Lee Jones was born in Akron, Ohio on March 26, 1928, to the late Levi Veronius and Madie (Caffee) Jones and was the youngest of ten siblings. She transitioned to Heavenly, eternal rest on March 19, 2020. During her period of hospice care at Akron City Hospital, she was visited-by loving family and dear friends.
In addition to her parents, Rosie was preceded in death by siblings, Irena, Louise, Thomas, Colonel Jack, Dorris, Levi Jr., Charles, Gladys, Johnny Joe and stepsiblings Alonzo Street, and Esther Lee Riley.
After graduating from Central High School, she married the love of her life Cortelyou Lee Terry, Jr. (C.L.). The pairing created extremely strong family bonds between the Jones, Terry and Sommerville clans that have lasted to this day. Their union was blessed with three sons.
As a young woman, Rosie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She faithfully served as a member of the Robert Street Church of God (later Arlington Church of God). She was engaged in various occupations and experiences that contributed to her life successes.
Her first dry cleaner’s job led to others: photography, hospital service, daycare, day work and private care for many prominent Akron families and finally to Food Service Coordinator at Akron University where she retired at the age of 80. Her excellent, renowned cooking skills made her a sought-after caterer for all sorts of events and she continued to honor requests for her special cakes, dishes and preparing private dinners until this past year.
Throughout her lifetime, Rosie’s words, deeds, and actions demonstrated her unwavering belief in God and she was known for her love, kindness, and care of others. She enjoyed social activities and traveling by ship or plane to visit faraway lands and islands or by car to spend time with family, especially her annual visits to Birmingham to visit with niece and namesake Rosemary “Rosie” Smith (Robert) and friends around the country.
As she endured life’s health challenges, “Miss Rose,” as known by many, rarely complained and usually would answer “pretty good” when asked how she felt. It was her strong faith that sustained Rosie in her darkest hours, and she felt blessed by daily calls and visits from family, friends, and neighbors.
It is these individuals that Rosie leaves behind to cherish her loving memory and to carry on her legacy of love, devoted sons, Robert, Ronnie (Laura) and Kenny; grandchildren, Robert, Sean, Josef, Mishell and Lynda White (Allen); great-grandsons, Jonah and Allen Jr., sister, Jean Sharon Jones (Winston Sanders); stepsiblings, Edna Riley, Willie Jones (Christine) and Lucius Street; 1st generation nieces and nephews, Delores Howard, Joyce Brown (Ron), Veronica Orsley (Van), Joyce A. Thomas, Pamela Jeter, Sandra Hairston, Jo Ann Jones, LaVerne Willis, Pamela Riley, Loretta Riley, Angela Street, Nadijah Jones, Ivan Jones (Stacey), Lester Jones (Sharon), Michael Jones (Stephanie), Johnathan Jones, Jason Jones, Ronnie Street and Ricky Street; godson, Jeffrey Rogers; former daughters-in-law, Francine Terry and Beverly Byrd-Lloyd; former sister-in-law, Virginia Jones; life-long “sister” friend; Irene Donnie and nearly two hundred 2nd to 4th generation and extended family nieces and nephews, a myriad of cousins and a host of friends.
Condolences can be sent to 908 Peerless Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320