Rose Marie Duerson

Rose Marie Duerson, 80, of Bloomington, IN, affectionately known as, “Rose Bud”, Aunt Rosie”, peacefully made her transition into heaven on Saturday May 23, 2020. She was born May 9, 1940 in Bloomington, IN, the daughter of the late Harold Erwin and Bertha Duerson. Rosie was baptized at an early age at Second Baptist Church, where she was a lifetime member and served in many positions including Church Clerk and as a member of the Usher Board. She retired from RCA after 35 years of service including serving as a shop steward. Rosie never met a stranger and was a mother and grandmother to people who were new to Bloomington whom she took underneath her wing for a lifetime. She was an Eastern Star, Southern Star #50 (way of the originally chartered Saint Andrew #50), Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliated Jurisdiction of Indiana. She was also a Daughter Elk (New Dawn Temple). Rosie was also a member of the local NAACP and served on The City of Bloomington Citizen Review Board that resulted in the hiring of more African American police officers including the first African American female police officer after the death of Denver Smith. She enjoyed cooking, planting flowers, puzzles, playing cards, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. She was an avid Bingo player. Her strong and humble spirit will be deeply missed. Rose is survived by her son, Harold Duerson; daughter, Tina Kyles (Sylvester); special family friend, James “Bert” O’Bannon; nieces and nephew, Cherresa Lawson, Vernada White (Tony) and Vernard Johnson II (Sherri); special great nieces and nephews, Sidney Lawson, Dynasty White, Alana Taylor (Brandon); Anthony White, Jr., Adam and Drake Johnson; great-great niece, Caydence; and great-great nephews, Alex, BJ and JJ. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold E. (Octavine) Duerson and mother, Bertha Duerson; infant sister, Wilma Elaine Duerson; sister, Haroldine (Vernard I) Johnson. Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2020 at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose. Services can be virtually attended at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9836495459 (there will be a link on the funeral home website as well). Interment will follow at White Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2020 at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Sidney Lawson, Anthony White, Jr., Adam Johnson, Greg Johnson, Drake Johnson, and Tom Doglione; honorary pallbearers will be James “Bert” O’Bannon, James Hopkins, Preston Bridgewaters, Levar Johnson, Sylvester Kyles, Anthony White, Sr. and Vernard Johnson II. Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, www.mymsaa.org Online condolences may be made to the family at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com