Sister Helen Gaye Fussell Rose

A loyal and faithful servant, loving and committed and dedicated wife and mother, one-of-a-kind grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and community servant, and caring friend...this is a glimpse of who Helen Gaye Fussell Rose (affectionately known as Mama Rose) was. She transitioned to her eternal reward, “A city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God’, (Hebrews 11:10). On Friday, January 11, 2013, at South Georgia Medical Center, the Lord whispered softly and summoned Helen Gaye Fussell Rose to eternal rest.

Helen Gay Fussell Rose, the sixth child of the late Lester and Kate Nall Fussell, was born August 14, 1922, in Patton, AL. She was educated in the Alabama Public School System. She attended college in Pine Bluff, AK and later transferred to RN Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA and St. Philip School of Nursing where she received her Degree in Nursing. Sister Rose was employed by Owens Illinois, Inc. and the Dept. of Corrections as a Registered Nurse. After years of service rendered, she retired and used her skills to help educate others on health issues. She has spearheaded health workshops and invited medical doctors to come out and give free information to the community.

Sister Rose was baptized into Christ by Bro. Marshall Keeble at the tender age of eleven in Ensley, AL. After confessing Christ, she started her Christian journey and was a God fearing Christian and a virtuous woman. She was a faithful member of Eastide Church of Christ and West Hill Church of Christ.

She was married to the late Bro. A.Z. Rose in January, 1965.

She leaves to cherish her memories: one son, John Killough of Toledo, OH; one devoted sister: Cathryn M’bathi, Kenya; one devoted brother and sister in-law: Warren (Margaret) Fussell of Valdosta, GA; two grandchildren; eight step-children, two of whom were devoted: Emily Rose (Joe) Winston, Helen Rose Curtis, Dorothy Rose Duiguid, Floyd (Estelle) Rose, Gene Rose, Richard (Jean) Rose, Marshall (Maxine) Rose, and Sylvia Rose; a host of step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; devoted cousin: Wallis (Charles) Boyd; devoted nephew: Kevin (Julie) Fubell; devoted friends: Jo Ann Statum, Jo E. Statum, Jamey Dotson, Betty Steedley & Staff, Ben and Lettye Ceaser, James and Margaret Eady, Brenda Shiver, Elijah Bush, Sr., Arthur Ponder and Troy and Gwendolyn McQueen. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one granddaughter, seven siblings and four step-children.

The homegoing celebration for Sister Helen Gaye Fussell Rose will be held Saturday at 2:00pm from the sanctuary of West Hill Church of Christ.

Bro. Zebedee Moore is the minister. Bro. Alonza D. Winston will officiate.

Private burial to follow.