It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rosa Ruth Morring, who left us peacefully at the age of 77. Rosa was born on December 11, 1947, in Huntington, West Virginia, to the late Deacon Emeritus Seldon Lee Smith and Deaconess Willie Mae Smith. Her journey through life was marked by devotion to her family, her church, and her community.
Rosa was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 40 years, Walter M. Morring Jr.; their cherished son, Joe Willie Morring; her great-grandson, Mason MacPhail; and brother LTC Retired Samuel C. Smith. She leaves behind a loving family: daughters; Hon. Sonya Lee Morring Smith of Albuquerque, NM, and Dr. Teresa Anne Morring of Virginia Beach, VA; grandsons Phillip Smith V of Norfolk, VA, Quinton Elijah Snowden of Virginia Beach, VA, and Joseph Michael Morring, of Suffolk, VA; granddaughters Sydney Simone Smith and Gabrielle Simone Snowden, both of Virginia Beach, VA; and great-grandson Robert Jace Wilson of Virginia Beach, VA. Rosa also leaves behind a multitude of nieces, nephews, and other relatives who will forever hold her memory dear.
A faithful servant of the Lord, Rosa was a lifelong member of Abyssinia Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA, where she served as the church’s first secretary and sang in the adult gospel choir. Her commitment to her faith was matched by her passion for literature and writing, authoring several prose works, short stories, and poems.
Rosa was a proud alumna of Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA, where she played in the marching band and began her lifelong advocacy for education. This commitment was evident, notably participating in a significant civil rights demonstration advocating for school integration. On May 13, 1983, Rosa withdrew her three children from school to join 6,000 protestors marching from Norfolk’s Lafayette City Park to the downtown School Board Administration building, protesting school integration and busing. Reverend Jesse Jackson and local civil rights leaders, including Bishop Ben Willis, demonstrated against the school board’s attempt to halt busing of elementary students for integration.
Her professional life was dedicated to service at Cox Communications, where she started in the 1980s as one of the first customer service representatives. Rosa later excelled in Quality Assurance, where she continued to advocate for excellence and integrity in customer service through coaching at Cox. Her commitment to community involvement was evident through her leadership on Norfolk’s Park Place Civic League’s executive advisory board and her impactful "Fighting Grime to Prevent Crime" campaign, earning her the 2006 State Neighborhood Advocate of the Year in Virginia. In the same year, Rosa was an honoree at the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated’s annual May Week Program. Through those efforts, Rosa often collaborated with the former president of Old Dominion University in various community outreach initiatives.
Rosa was an excellent cook, was exceptionally creative, and the heart of family gatherings. She frequently encouraged her children and grandchildren in their artistic pursuits. Rosa was a vibrant social butterfly, known for her love of theater, the arts, and fantasy dramas. She famously hosted Sunday night watch gatherings for her family, particularly to enjoy any HBO series (True Blood, Game of Thrones, The Wire, The Sopranos, etc.) She spent her retirement years indulging in crime dramas, online games, and puzzles, as well as being a devoted caregiver to her husband and mother during their illness. Following the passing of her husband "Bro" and son Joe, in 2015 and 2016 respectively, Rosa moved to Virginia Beach to live closer to her daughter Teresa "TeeWee."
Rosa Ruth’s legacy is a testament to a life well-lived, filled with love, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of others. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew and cared for her.
