Rosie Smith Magee

Rosie was born on April 9th, 1965, to parents, Frank Gregory and Flora Smith, in Natchez, Mississippi. She moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1968, where she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Leroy Martin. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1983 and then attended Dillard University for one year.

She accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Second Mount Calvary Baptist Church by Reverend J.B. Barnes. She later moved to Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and youth usher.

Rosie married her high school sweetheart, Calvin Magee, in 1986; three children were born to their union: Jade, Bryson, and Jasmine.

Rosie worked in Customer Service for the U.S. Postal Service and a medical supply company until she became a full-time homemaker in 2001.

She was extremely active in her children’s endeavors no matter what they were. From sports to school activities, she was there for them. She was also a vital, full-time partner in her husband’s 25-year college football coaching career, traveling with him across the nation and hosting events in their home for colleagues and homesick players. Comfort and counseling were always on the menu along with good times!

Rosie became a mentor to many of the younger coaches’ wives and a surrogate mother to many players.

Rosie, a gifted interior home designer always ensured each residence in the numerous states Calvin's career took them was always beautiful, warm, and inviting. Rosie made life-long friends wherever they relocated.

Finding a church home was always a priority for her in each new location. In Tucson, it was the Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church. Her Faith mattered.

Rosie lived a beautiful life. She was a blessing to family, friends, and strangers alike. Always willing to share her light with others, with a genuine love for people, was her character. Her faith and trust in God enabled her to do this.

Rosie was predeceased by her loving husband of 38 years, Calvin Magee; brother, William Thomas Smith, Jr.; grandfather, Ernest Smith; and grandmother, Rosie Lee Smith.

Rosie leaves to cherish her memory her three children, Jade, Bryson (Destinee) and Jasmine; five grandchildren, Amare, Maejor, Isabella, Cali and Stone; mother, Flora Smith (Leroy); father, Frank Gregory; and her siblings Charles Smith (Wendy), Eric Smith, Reba Bland, Frank Gregory Jr., and Laverne Dillard (Danny); Calvin’s family; and several aunts uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends, who loved her so much.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at St. Michael Baptist Church, 315 James St. in Kenner, Louisiana, on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 11:00AM. The interment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum in Metairie Cemetery.