Rosa's Life Journey

It was on October 2, 1942, in the city of Liberty, Texas, a beautiful baby girl was born to the union of Sostan and Wilda Joseph Mitchell. They gave her the name of Rosa Lee. Her parents moved to Pearland, Texas where she spent most of her early childhood years. Later, her family moved to Beaumont, Texas.

Rosa confessed Christ and was baptized at the Antioch Baptist Church by the late Rev. R. E. McKeen. Rev. McKeen later became pastor of the historic Avenue L Baptist Church in Galveston, Texas. Ironically, her son, Eddie, currently serves as pastor of Avenue L.

Rosa completed her education in the Beaumont Independent School District by graduating with the 1961 class of Charlton- Pollard Senior High School. Known for her beauty, charm and pretty smile, she was named Ms. Charlton-Pollard-1961.

Rosa joined the Scott Olive Baptist Church in 1962 and was a faithful member of Scott Olive and participated in various ministries. She served as a Deaconess, Matron for the youth, and member of the Mission Department. Her most notable and rewarding church participation was sharing her God-given talent by singing in the choir. She proudly shared her talents as an active member of the Golden Triangle Mass Choir. For over thirty years, she faithfully attended the annual James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America (JCGMWA). She proudly shared her nursing skills as a member of the JCGMWA Nurses Guild.

Rosa also extended her blessings and benevolence to others while serving as a faithful member of the Divine Miracles International Ministries, Inc. and as secretary of the Charlton-Pollard High School class of 61 and the Alumni Association.

Rosa persevered in her pursuit of becoming an RN and in 1975 she graduated from Lamar University with her degree in Nursing and later becoming a licensed RN. That same year, she began an illustrious career that would span for over 30 years with the Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas. She retired in 2005. Not known to sit and be idle, she re-entered the workforce by becoming a relief nurse at the Caldwood Elementary. She eventually became the permanent nurse in 2012 and retired, again, in December 2018 to focus on her health. She really loved those kids and enjoyed working with her second family, the Caldwood staff.

Rosa was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts; as well as the father of her children, Willie C. Johnson, Sr.

Rosa's beautiful legacy of love will be carried on through life by her beloved children; the songbird, Vanessa Kimbrough (Gerald), the servant, Deacon Willie C. Johnson, Jr. (Cynthia), the ministry of Rev. Eddie R. Johnson (Bridgette); the 2nd songbird, Donna L. Brown, and the 2nd servant, Daryl G. Johnson (Erin). The next generation that will follow her legacy is her grandchildren, La Quinta Ryals, La Kesha Simpson, DeSoun J. Guiberteaux, Jamila D. Johnson, Daryonna Johnson, Briehna and Kamerahn Kimbrough, Peyton Brown, Faith Johnson Chole and Makenna Gipson. She loved her siblings, David Earl Mitchell, Mary Christian (Kenneth), Albert Mitchell (Margaret), Linda Joseph and Barbara Ann Mitchell, so dearly. She even held a special place in her heart for her in-laws, Rachel Jones, Mae Jester Johnson and Peter Johnson, Jr. (Toni). She was blessed to be loved by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, God-children and friends.