The late Euphema Rosa, Sister Rose Jones

Sunrise :  May 14,1947  as the first of three children to father Obidiah Perry and mother Lucilda Robinson Perry

Sunset : October 5, 2022

As a young child, she attended the Point Hill leased All Age School where she, like any normal student, did the required subjects in school. As the eldest child, grandma took on a motherly role and while her two younger siblings, Estella and Patrick were playing, she busied herself with housework.

After her father migrated to England she and her mother and siblings worked hard to survive. She did any work that was available. This work included selling stones, walking several miles selling fish. She also did dressmaking. This taught her to be independent and it is this level of independence that made her such a strong and proud woman. Sister Rose insisted that others should be independent and work for what they wanted. Later when her mother Lucilda had three more children, Doris (Joy), Donavon and Janet, her motherly role continued. In fact, the night Joy was born, she took her in her room and there they both slept. She continued to be a mother and big sister to her even when she became an adult. Joy was the recipient of special gifts from her big sister.

The love of her life was Manasseh (affectionately called Manny) whom she met at age 19 and she got married September 20, 1967; they celebrated their 55 ^th wedding anniversary last month. Their lifelong union was blessed with four children: Yvonne (Patsy), Everton (Colin-now deceased), Rudolph (Ronald) and Clifton (Devon) Jones

Together they worked hard to build a strong family, a family that was admired by all around.

Grandma took her spiritual life seriously. She started out in the New Testament church as a faithful member and prayer warrior. Later when grandma became a member of the Mendez Seventh day Adventist church, she maintained the same zeal that she had when she attended the New Testament Church. All who remember her from Jamaica will remember her as a praying woman who was serious about her faith. She ensured that her children grew up in the fear and knowledge of God.

She always prepared lots of food on Sabbath and we could always get something to eat there as food was always in that house in Mendez. She loved soursop juice and chicken. Whenever she got her Pardna draw she would always buy a KFC meal. Sis Rose opened her home too many family members and to anyone who needed a place to stay until they could manage on their own was never turned away.

She migrated to live with her daughter in New York on July 6, 2005. Two weeks later she was admitted to the hospital with respiratory distress and received a tracheostomy. Her determination to enjoy life was seen in how she adjusted to health recommendations and within 6 months she was able to breathe on her own. She even took up walking in an attempt to lose weight .

Grandma recovered nicely and was able to return to her independent way of living. When she arrived in Florida grandma wanted to work so can help pay the bills in the house. She got a job at Westminster nursing home in the kitchen and worked there till October 16, 2010. After she  retired she devoted herself to her family and church.

When she became ill in August 2020 , she went to Georgia where she received wonderful care and attention at the Miller. She remained there until her death on October 5, 2022.

She was always there for her family functions, birthdays, graduations, weddings. Grandma was always the biggest cheerleader who always pushed her family to achieve greatness. Grandma pushed for my mother and I to finish nursing school. Unfortunately she died just two day shy of her daughter's completion of this lifelong dream.

Grandma, you may have passed on, but your memories would always live on within us. Thank you for your sacrifices, your care and concern, your love and everything that you have done for your family. Wherever you are, I know you are in a much better place. I will be forever grateful and thankful that you are my 'grandmother'.

On that note I will leave you with this quote: "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but Love leaves a memory no one can steal."