Rosa Mae Stephens

She was a native of Southampton County, Virginia. There she graduated from Southhampton High School. She is pre-decreased by her parents Jack and Lillie Mae Russell, Joe Stephens and Joey Stephens (Son).

At the age of 18, Rosa relocated to Norfolk, VA to advance her education. She lived with her Uncle Patrick Russell. Then she met and dated Joe Stephens. She accepted his marriage proposal in 1955. To this union 4 children were born.

Rosa started her career as a housekeeper for Dr. Horton. He encouraged her to train as a Nursing Assistance at DePaul Hospital, Norfolk VA. She also took courses at Norfolk State College. When she completed her CNA training she was hired by and retired with 30 years of service with DePaul.

Rosa received Christ at a very young age at Shiloh Baptist Church in Boykin, Virginia. She was truly a walking angel who extended herself to everyone she met. She was a dedicated member of Gideon’s Riverside Fellowship under the leadership of Dr. Milton A. Reid and New Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church, Rev. Clyde L. Doxey, Jr. As a dedicated member of New Covenant, she served in numerous capacities; Deaconess, Pastor’s Aide, Missions, and Woman’s Ministry. She loved her Pastor and church members dearly. She continued to attend church until her health declined.

We will miss her because we loved her, but we find comfort in knowing that “to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. May our blessed Rosa rest forever in the peace of God of whom she dearly believed in.

She leaves her legacy of love to her daughter Lavern Jackson (Jay) San Antonio, TX; sons Rory Stephen (Angela) Norfolk, VA and Donald Stephen (Felicia) Norfolk, VA. Siblings Jack Russell (Brother) Franklin, VA, Dora Bryant (Sister) Oak City NC., Beatrice Allen (Sister) Norfolk, VA, Thelma Richardson (Sister) Norfolk, VA, Emma Bottom (Sister) Franklin VA. Eleven Grand-children and twenty-four Great-grandchildren.