Rosalina Sales Espinosa

Rosalina Sales Espinosa "Seldom has God given so much to many people through one woman" A loyal wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch of the family, Rosalina Espinosa, age 92, of Greer, South Carolina, went home with peace and grace to be with our heavenly Father from natural causes on Friday, July 8, 2016, at St. Francis Downtown. Her final days were spent surrounded by her family whom she brought so much joy and had touch throughout her long and well-lived life. Barely five feet tall, Rosalina Espinosa was the heart of the Espinosa clan, the cornerstone in the arch, the foundation of everyone’s lives. The gleam in her eyes was never dulled by age. She was something akin to a flame; a source of warmth and comfort yet feisty and strong. Her love was absolute and genuine, her wisdom was unerring and her abiding moral support for everyone was encouraging. A woman of steadfast faith in God and a member of Praise Cathedral in Greer, SC for many years, she was a brilliant symbol of hope, humility integrity and respect. Her fuel source was the Lord, who kept her fiery spirit up until her last breath. She relied upon and trusted God for all of her needs, lived in constant prayer, and kept her faith despite numerous agony and tribulations. She lived a life covered in the love of Jesus and she did ever so gracefully. Her greatest wealth is to see her children and all grandchildren unified, knowing and serving the Lord. Rosalina - who we better know as 'Mom' or 'Lola' - was the only child of Martin Albellana and Patrocenio Sales. She grew up in her birthplace of Dasol, Pangasinan in the Philippines. She grew up learning how to trust the Lord, despite what circumstances threw at her. This proved well when the threat of World War II loomed over the Philippines. As a precautionary measure, Rosalina's parents had her marry Jose Vidal Espinosa: the man who would become the love of her life. At that time, Rosalina was still quite young - only sixteen at the time. She needed guidance from the Lord to help her through her young marriage, and, eventually, the Japanese troops who trekked through her homeland. She learned to ration food and hide herself from enemy forces. She, along with other courageous Filipinos kept this up until the Japanese occupation was over in the early 1940’s. It was after the horrors of war that Rosalina and her love could move onto something more peaceful: having a family. She, along with her husband, instilled the importance of education and God into their 10 children. Each child was given a proper education at the local school despite their meager income. Not only that, but they were able to provide funds for college or any other extra education for their family. Besides the valuable lessons in education, Rosalina was an example of a follower of Christ for her children. She and Jose would pray very early in the morning to their Heavenly Father - their children listening behind the doorway. For 58 years, she served her family and her God through example in the Philippines. After these 58 years, she decided to step up to the plate and do something that she always wanted to do: give her children a better life. What better place to do this than send them to the United States? One by one, she petitioned her children to come to America. And one by one, each was brought out from the grip of not enough to a land full of opportunities. She eventually settled in Greenville, South Carolina, but had to leave behind her beloved husband after he suffered a fatal heart attack. It was here that she saw her family grow and blossom into a large, loving, God-oriented clan. Of all her accomplishments, Rosalina’s immense achievements have been in the lives of her family. She saw the coming of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all whom she loved and cherished. She was never shy to give them advice and was always concerned for their well-being. Her big heart filled her home with love, fun, family and friends, including an attitude that there was always space for one more. When she wasn't doting on her grandkids, she was out in the garden cultivating plants and her love for them. And if the weather was too hot or too cold, she'd read avidly (most notably, The Bible). If not either of those things, she'd drink some hot tea in the afternoon or some warm Ensure. But perhaps her favorite out of all these things was to watch her family laugh and stay close to each other. Her eyes would light up at this God given gift and she too would give a smile. It is this tender joy that she will partake of as she watches us from her Heavenly home: her children’s smiles. Rosalina will be forever remembered for her sweet spirit and loving memories by her 9 affectionate children and spouses: Jose Vidal Jr and Susan Espinosa, Manny and Evelyn Espinosa, Vincjan and Mila Espinosa, Leah McCurley, Daisy and Vincente Vergara, Charmie Salas, Dan and Thelma Espinosa, Judith Orr, Joel and Bless Espinosa and her only adopted daughter, Grace Bryan. She will also be greatly missed by her 29 precious grandchildren: Jane Jasmine, Jose Vidal Jr. III, January, Jerimyrrh, Joshua, Johnathan, Joyful, Josiah, Jeremiah, Lissa, Joe, Lindsey, Mi Amor, Hossana, Levi, Mary Katherine, Kathleen, Cheryl, Lovely, Bernadette, John, Dan, Joy, Samuel, Michaella, Joel Ariel Jr, Sheila, Blessed and Jerome along with her 41 adorable great-grandchildren that brought tremendous joy to her later years: Janica Joyce, Jhonas, Janella Ciela, Jomari, Jhosiery, Jherrico, Jhoan Cristy, Jhay Vee, Isiah, Alexis, Jhed, Daniel, Aniyah, David, Niyah, Appollonia, Nick, Chetza, Orion, Samantha, Joseph, Aaron, Mosses, Venice, Rosanna, Dylan, Lee Priam, Christiana, Elliana, Nathaniel, Yzabelle, Juanito, Faith, Samuel, Sky, Zachary, Gwendolyn, Ren Ren, Joel III , Jherselle Elijah, and Jireh. She lives on in the lives of all she has formed and hearts she touched by her love. Rosalina is now reunited with her wonderful husband of 45 years, Jose Vidal Espinosa, and her wonderful son, Haniel Espinosa. Long live the beauty that comes down and through and onto all of us. A Celebration of Rosalina’s incredible Life will be held at 10 am, on Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Praise Cathedral, Brushy Creek, Greenville, SC with Pastor Jerry Madden officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to honor the memory of Rosalina to the charity of your choice. Psalm23 1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 91 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 10:00 am at Praise Cathedral, 3390 Brushy Creek Road, Greer, SC. 29650. Visitation will follow immediately after the service.