Rossa S. Pinnix

In her earlier years, Rossa worked for the Department of the Navy during WWII in Washington DC, then moved with her husband Allen and daughter Donna to Portland OR where he worked in the shipyard readying ships to go back into war. After moving to North Carolina she worked for the Internal Revenue Service, and later as the Guilford County smoke spotter atop of the Jefferson Life Ins. building in downtown Greensboro. She was affectionally known as “Smokey The Bear” and Allen, the chief of the Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire Department as “Sparky the Fire Dog.” Allen lovingly referred to her as his “yellow rose of Texas.” Rossa was also Girl Scout Cookie Chairman for the Greensboro regional area back when Girl Scout Cookies were sold for 50¢. She was a long-time member and Officer within the Order of the Eastern Star and White Shrine, as well as an active member at Hinshaw United Methodist Church in Greensboro.

She was preceded in death by her husband R Allen Pinnix, daughter, Patricia Ann Pinnix and son, Philip Ross Pinnix. She is survived by her daughters, Donna D Pinnix, Richmond VA, Martha Pinnix O’Keefe and husband Tom O’Keefe, Mechanicsville, VA; grandchildren, Shawn O’Keefe and wife Stephanie Danis, Midlothian, VA, Cathleen O’Keefe and husband Charles Kittredge, Athol, MA, Stepson . Robert Allen Pinnix and wife Venus and grandson Tony Pinnix and her dog Lola and several cats.

Her daughters would like to express their eternal gratitude to longtime caretaker, LaShell Jefferson for her compassionate and caring service to their mother as well as her sister CheChe Herlihy. Also to cousins Joyce Pinnix, Justin Pinnix, Mike Zugay, Stephen Zugay, Patrick Zugay, Mary Jo & Chick Pless and Dr. Frances Story for their aid and support during this trying time.

In this crazy time no flowers are requested but if you would like to do something in honor of Rossa, please contribute to her favorite causes by planting a dogwood tree; putting a bird feeder in your yard; adopting a shelter animal from your local shelter; buying Girl Scout cookies or donating to your favorite charity.