Rose Enid Irizarry was a proud Puerto Rican woman. Born July 17th, 1961, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, was the oldest daughter of the late Jose N. Irizarry and Rose M. Irizarry. In 1967, she moved to San Germán with her family and attended Colegio San José from 1st to 10th grade, before relocating to Austin, Texas, in 1977.
She graduated from Lanier High School in 1979. After graduation, she attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Seminary Extension in Austin. Her love for teaching and love for God led Rose to obtain a diploma in Educational Ministries from SBC Seminary Extension on June 9th, 2009, and then received a second diploma in Theological Foundations from SBC Seminary Extension on June 10th, 2011.
Her passion for Jesus, teaching, and molding the lives of others inspired her call to work as a daycare teacher. She was then promoted to assistant daycare director, and then to daycare director from 1981 to 2001. She completed these works at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, TX, Lanier Baptist Church, and Hillcrest Baptist Church in Austin, TX. After her time in daycare, she then went on to work at the Texas Department of Public Safety from July 16th, 2001, to July 31st, 2022, when she retired from the agency to fulfill the role of caregiver for her two parents.
One of her greatest achievements was her work throughout the years at Principe De Paz Baptist Church, where she was a founding member and served as the Children’s Minister and Music Director for over 20 years. Her love for God, others, and music inspired generations of individuals. She is survived by her three siblings, Nadya Irizarry, Jose Irizarry, and Jenny Deleza. Also survived by her children, David Smith, Christina Smith, Ariella Rodriguez, Eliana Rodriguez, and her grandchild, Carlotta Smith-Mitchell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Children's Ministry at Principe de Paz Baptist Church, 1204 Payton Gin Road, Austin, Texas 78758.
~ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. - Psalm 139:13-14 ~
