Rosa Schofield Spivey, 91, died at her residence on Thursday, January 25, 2018. She was born in Macon on February 18, 1926 to John Shepley Schofield and Hazel Gaines Schofield. Rosa was named for her grandmother, Rosa Lee Gaines, who was legendary in her family as a manager of the Santon Hotel in Sandersville, Georgia and for her strong will and high standards, characteristics that Rosa inherited. Rosa was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Dr. Oscar Smith Spivey and her sister, Hazel S. Weed.
Rosa attended A.L. Miller High School and after graduating with a B.A. in Biology from Wesleyan College, taught primary school before her marriage in 1950 to Oscar, with whom she had been friends since childhood. After marriage, Rosa and Oscar moved to New Orleans LA, where Oscar completed his residency in Pediatrics. They returned to Macon in 1954 with their growing family, for whom she was a wonderful mother. She was always a great source of support to Oscar in his pediatric practice, often substituting for sick receptionists and maintaining the grounds around his office. Rosa became deeply involved in the city of Macon, a tireless volunteer participating in projects to benefit the schools and her community.
Rosa’s love of nature was a constant thread in the many civic projects to which she contributed, including the planting of the thousands of Yoshino Cherry trees that now grace Macon’s streets. Her efforts also led to the planting of trees throughout Macon’s parks, the development of school nature projects, the restoration of Washington Park, volunteer work in the city’s greenhouse and at the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences, and many downtown beautification projects. She was a Chairman and member of the Macon Tree Commission, founder of Macon’s Memorial Tree Program, a founding member of the Town and Country Garden Club, a member of the Junior League of Macon, a volunteer for the Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful Commission, and a member of the Board overseeing the grounds of the Riverside Cemetery.
Along the way, she earned her Master Gardener certification through the University of Georgia extension program. Her love of nature was evident in her plant-filled home, with its beautiful flowering gardens in a green wooded spot where she and Oscar spent many afternoons marveling at the beauty of the world.
Rosa’s volunteer efforts received national recognition when she became the recipient of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to her at the March 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show, the world’s largest gathering of horticulturalists.
A kind and patient teacher, Rosa loved to share her passion for plants, gardening, and beautification of public spaces. The joy she found in growing things was instilled in all her children and grandchildren, each of whom in their different ways, are gardeners and share her affinity for the natural world and its beauty.
Rosa is survived by her children, Eugenia Spivey VanDerKloot (Bill), Oscar Smith Spivey, Jr. (Vicki), Rosa Schofield Spivey (John Steffens) and John Shepley Spivey. Her nine grandchildren survive her: Monroe Spivey, Oscar S. Spivey III, William VanDerKloot, John VanDerKloot, Gena Steffens, Leah Steffens, John S. Spivey, Jr., Mary Spivey and Rosalee Spivey; as does her brother, John Schofield (Jo).
In a lifetime full of wonderful friendships she felt blessed to come to know Lena Billingslea, Delois Jordan, LaShay Gibson, Hyacinth Rozier, Jane Sanders and Dorothy Gates, who came to her as caregivers but became her friends as well. Their professionalism and skills were only exceeded by their loving care for Rosa.
A celebration of her life will be held at 3:30 PM Wednesday, January 31 at Vineville United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends following the memorial service in the sanctuary. Burial will be private for family only in Riverside Cemetery. The Rev. Jimmy Duke and Dr. Marcus Tripp will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Children’s Hospital (Navicent Health, 777 Hemlock Street, Macon 31201), or that a tree be planted a tree in her memory.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.
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