Rosa Lee Watson

Rosa Lee Venable died on June 9th, 2021; the cause was Alzheimer’s Disease. Rosa was born on October 6, 1922, in Holland, TX, the third child of George and Lone (Davis) Venable. She was preceded by her husband, Warren G. Watson (1920-2001), her parents, older siblings, George Jr. and Margaret, and her younger brother, Turist “Candy” Venable and her son-in-law, Brad Steele.

Rosa is survived by her son, Michael, daughter Cheryl Watson Steele, granddaughter Caitlin Olson (Karl), great-granddaughter, Rosa Olson, nieces and nephews, Goddaughter, Lisa McClarron, and the many friends she made throughout the years.

Rosa was raised in Temple, OK where there was no high school for black students. Rosa moved to Fort Worth, TX staying with her sister while attending I.M. Terrell High School, a school that enrolled black students from the surrounding areas including Forth Worth. After graduating from high school, Rosa attended Texas College, an HBCU, graduating in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. Rosa recounted a bus coming to campus in 1943 and collecting all drafted male students, leaving behind only the women and male students who were 4-F. One person who was drafted and returned after serving in the Pacific was Warren Watson, who Rosa married upon his return to Seattle in 1947. Warren attended Seattle University on the G.I. bill. The young couple lived in the student housing in Yesler Terrace while Warren attended SU. During that time daughter Cheryl was born. Following Warren's graduation, they moved to Tacoma, where their son Mike was born.

In 1958, Warren’s job took the family to San Bernadino, CA, where Rosa lived for 44 years. They were active community members fighting for Civil Rights and co-sponsoring the statue of Martin Luther King Jr in the City of San Bernardino, and supporting parish life at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Rosa taught Home Economics at Fontana Jr High School for 16 years. When she retired, one of her students, who admired Rosa, was hired to take over her classes. Other students kept in touch with her throughout the years. In her 80s she received a birthday card from a thoughtful group of students thanking her for her wisdom and guidance. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in San Bernardino, a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Diocesan Assembly for African American Catholics, which included organizing fundraisers, and chairing Black History Celebrations, Ladies Auxiliary of St. Peter’s Clover Court# l257 and the California Teachers Association.

Rosa and Warren traveled to Italy on a tour led by Bishop Straling, cruised to many Caribbean Islands, and loved visiting Hawaii. Rosa traveled to Ireland and New York with her daughter, Cheryl. In Ireland, Rosa met Dave Weitzel, a friend of Brad’s, they developed a friendship, and Dave faithfully sent her flowers on her birthday and Christmas for ten years.

Rosa moved to Seattle in 2002, becoming an integral part of the entire Steele family, and formed a kinship with her granddaughter, Caitlin. Rosa recently met her great-granddaughter, Rosa "Rosie" Olson, born October 2020. Rosie and Rosa were mesmerized by each other. Rosa’s close relationship with her son Mike continued as Mike worked and lived in Japan and Europe. Rosa and her younger brother, Candy, remained very close, sometimes talking daily on the telephone until his passing. Goddaughter Lisa McClarron, visited Rosa on Sundays and always brought treats. Rosa enjoyed her Muckleshoot trips with Sharon Green.

Rosa loved her family most of all. But also loved shopping, jewelry, collecting Lladro and Hummel figurines, watching Tiger Woods golf, playing dollar slots in Vegas, Laughlin, and Muckleshoot (she was a Champion Dollar slot player), her poodle, Gypsy, and her car, a baby blue Lincoln continental.

Donations can be in her name can be made to St Anthony's Catholic, 1640 Western Ave N., San Bernardino, CA 92411

Favorite saying: “Growing old isn’t for sissies.”

Firm principle: Only play on dollar slot machines.