Rosa Lee Hatcher

Rosa Lee Hatcher -- also known as “Rose” was born to Rosa Clowney Williams and Ed Lee Williams on September 19, 1930 in Chester, SC. She was the sister to Willie James Adams, who preceded her in death, and Carrie Bell Williams Newson. She is the joyful grand-daughter to the late Daisey Lee Clowney. After an extended illness at the Rego Park Nursing Home, on March 2, 2022, she passed to eternity to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

At an early age, Rose gave birth to her first child Mary “Jeanette” Lee Williams the daughter of the late Havies Wilkes. She than gave birth to her first son Howard “Howie” Jackson, the son of the late Lawrence Jackson whom she married in 1956. In 1963 she gave birth to her youngest child Asaad “Sammy” Adams, the son of the late Samuel Adams. In 1981, as a practicing Catholic, she was baptized shortly before her marriage to the late George Hatcher at St. Rita’s Roman Catholic Church in Long Island City, NY.

For a while Rose attended both her mother’s church - Baptist Temple and attended St. Gregory Catholic Church in Manhattan, NY.

Rose was outgoing and was not partial to any race or nationality; a character asset that she taught to her children. While externally friendly, Rose was very direct and firm with family and very close friends. She was a force to be reckon with. She gave her family a run for their money because she did not hold her tongue. She was generous and yet fearless. If she liked you she liked you. If she didn’t she didn’t. (Smile)

With her outgoing personality, Rose enjoyed traveling during the summer to visit family down south in North and South Carolina. She also enjoyed being the “Bingo Lady” for the Rosary Society bingo games and other events at St. Rita’s RC Church. We can still hear her bellowing B4! Her closest family and confidants also knew that she was an avid player of the “numbers”. Up until she became seriously ill, Rose could be found frequenting numerous casinos; especially ones in Atlantic City!

Rose worked hard, played hard, and shopped hard. She loved to dance and liked nice things. She shopped at the best stores and always bought the best quality clothes. She was one of the few blacks in her community to get her hair done and nails manicured every two weeks. Rose earned her right to enjoy life.

Generosity is what Rose became known for. She fed everybody whether you were hungry or not, or family or not! Around Rose, nobody went hungry. Some of her famous meals she prepared were her big smothered pork chops, famous string beans, tuna fish salad, and fried fish steak.

Rosa had a strong work ethic and believed that everyone should work. One day she asked her son when he got home from a hard days work, “…don’t you have another job?!” Rosa worked several jobs. If you did not work at least two jobs, in her mind she probably thought, “You lazy bum!” Rosa worked three and sometimes four jobs. One job was in a factory sewing material where she served as the shop steward and a proud and influential member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. At night, she was a 32BJ union member cleaning attorney offices. As an additional form of income Rosa collected cans and bottles from the offices that she cleaned and later redeemed them for cash. For Rosa this was another stream of income. Rosa was so well liked and respected by the attorneys and workers, that they would voluntarily leave bags of cans and bottles for her. At the end of the year, she would gross several thousand of additional income. This entrepreneurial ritual remained until she retired. She truly understood the art of the hustle. As an entrepreneur she also sold Avon. Of course, the family enjoyed going through her Avon boxes when she was not looking or until she shushed them away from her inventory.

Rosa Lee Hatcher leaves to cherish her memory: a sister Carrie Bell Williams; one daughter and two sons: Mary “Jeanette” Lee Williams, Howard “Howie” William Jackson, and Asaad “Sammy” Adams; and three grandchildren: Barbara Williams Woods, Kime Williams Romeo, and Amanda Adams; three great grandchildren Malik Rushing, Ja’Niya Linton, and Ashlei Romeo; nieces and nephews: Furdina Hall, Reginald Newson, Ronald Newson, Denise Newson, Anthony Newson, Valerie Newson and Garrett “Juicy” Newson; and a host of other family and friends.