In Loving Memory of Mrs. Rosa Lee Rhodes

August 26, 2020, the Lord called home our beloved Rosa Lee (Ye Ye, Momzie) at the great age of 96 years, at the Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Illinois.  What a wonderful, full life!  What a Blessing! Rosa was born June 5, 1924 to Amos Finch and Luticia Swanier-Finch in Richton, Mississippi.  After the death of her dad, Rosa, as a two-month old baby, with her mom and sister, moved to the Fenton (Delisle) Community on the Gulf Coast to be near her grandparents, John and Josephine Swanier.

Rosa graduated from Randolph High School in Pass Christian, Mississippi.  She often spoke of the discrimination in the area during her teen years.  She and her sister would have to walk from Delisle, Mississippi to Randolph High School in Pass Christian, which was about 10 miles or more each day.  The school bus would pass them by with the white students, and the bus driver would apologize to Rosa and her sister because he could not pick them up based on the laws at that time.  But Rosa and her sister gained endurance and strength from this, which could have contributed to her longevity.

After graduation, Rosa moved to Florida, to work and to be with her sister and her new family.  Then it was on to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and later returning to Pass Christian, Mississippi, where she met and married Willie Rhodes who was in the military.

Rosa remained in the Pass Christian area as her home base helping to take care of family members; Aunt Ida, Grandma Josephine, Godfather Wallace, Uncle Jimmy and his wife.

Rosa moved to Chicago, Illinois in the 1950s, where she met her companion of sixteen plus years, James Hellams, and moved to Evanston, Illinois.  While in Evanston, she worked for Bell and Howell in Skokie, Illinois, as a domestic worker in Glencoe, and later the Evanston Child Care Center on Dempster and Hinman.  James and Rosa moved their family to Greenville, South Carolina and she continued to work as a domestic worker for years while caring for foster children.

Rosa was later summoned back to Pass Christian, Mississippi to help take care of her mom, Tish.  After her passing, Rosa moved back to Greenville, South Carolina, later to Evanston, Illinois.  She soon became a snowbird, living between her family of children, and visiting nieces and nephews between Evanston, Illinois, Greenville, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia and Pass Christian/Gulfport, Mississippi.

Rosa Lee played piano by ear. Her favorite song  was Precious Lord.

In her later years, while in Evanston,she would sit by the front window waiting for her grandson Joseph, daughter Vernice, and grandson William to come in from work.  Her daily comments were, "Hey darling, how was your day?"  Later she would make her way to bed.  Her grandson Chris was her favorite, he would drive her for hours in her car.

Rosa Lee had ten children and two stepdaughters.  However, her precious grand-daughter Dawn was her heart.  She raised Dawn from an infant until she went away to college.

Rosa Lee was baptized in Pass Christian, Mississippi at Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church.  She was proud of her home church and supported Rev. Dr. Harry Toussaint, the current pastor, as a son.  She was also proud of her sister's scholarship fund, The Vernelia McCathen Scholarship Fund, and often wanted to attend the fundraising events.  While in Evanston, she joined the Second Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Michael C.R. Nabors.    When she could attend she made sure she made her presence known.

Rosa Lee was preceded in death by her parents; her late husband; her longtime companion James Hellams; her sister, Vernelia McCathen; her son, Rogers Finch Fredericks Sr.; daughters, Elsie Burtiss Lewis McAbee, Nurse-Patricia L Hellams-Edwards; grandson Broderick Neil Fredericks; three very special nephews, Chelson Richard McCathen, Henry McCathen Jr., and Hubert Leroy McCathen.

Rosa Lee's loving memories will forever linger in the hearts of her son,  Dennis Rhodes Lewis and daughter, Cynthia Fredericks Reed of Evanston, Illinois,  James Burton Hellams Jr (Lisa), of Atlanta, Georgia; daughters,  Vernice Green-Wilks of Chicago, Illinois; Shirley Fredericks Gordon (Leotis), Aurora, Illinois; Jean Hancock-Smith and Cathy Harris (Greg) of Greenville, South Carolina, Marsha Thomas of Gainesville, Florida and Pam Haynes of Trenton, Florida.

She also leaves to mourn her loving nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, along with a host of relatives and friends.  Too many to list.

In her later years, Rosa Lee would not hesitate to call on a few (they knew why) Dennis, Petee,  Chris, William, Christina, Joseph, Alvin, Hubert, Emma, Juan and TC.  However, she loved us all and we loved her.

God Knows Best

You left this world not long ago.

Just when you were feeling sad and mighty low.

Dreams to be with your heavenly Father above and your special loved ones who preceded you finally came true, now you are home at last.

Nor fortune or gold was your permanent nest, though life presented you with the ultimate test.

Rosa Lee we will all miss you as you are laid to rest; but we all must accept the fact that God loved you best.

Hugs and Kisses

Your Family

In Lieu of Flowers, we ask that you send donations to

support the Vernelia McCathen Scholarship Fund in

honor of Rosa Lee Rhodes to the Goodwill Missionary

Baptist Church, P.O. Box 292, Pass Christian,

Mississippi 39571

Visitation

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Haliburton Funeral

1317 Emerson Street

Evanston, Illinois

Saturday, September 5, 2020

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Lockett-Williams Mortuary, Inc.

2018 31st Avenue

Gulfport, Mississippi 39501

Get Directions on Google Maps

Pallbearers are:  William Reed, Marcus Hellams, Dameon Hughes, Lance Knox, Destin Fredericks,  and Kaleb Fredericks.

Graveside Blessings - Rev. Dr. Harry Toussiant

Saturday, September 5, 2020

Immediately after visitation

The Baptist Cemetery

Pass Christian, Mississippi

The Family of Rosalee Rhodes wish to thank you for all of your calls, social media contributions, blessings and support.  We certainly thank family members for all of their support and help with Rosa throughout the years.  She was always helping someone in the Family who became ill or could no longer help themselves.  We came through for her.  Thank you Rosa for teaching us how to care for others.  She said, she prayed for everybody.   Thank you for your prayers and that beautiful smile.

Thank you Haliburton Funeral Home, Evanston, Illinois and Lockett Williams Mortuary, Inc. in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Family Lunch in Park, Pass Christian, Mississippi.