Mrs. Rosa L. Williams

Mrs. Rosa L. Williams, Tennille, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at her residence. Graveside services were held privately by the family.

She was born in Washington County, Georgia on July 10, 1927 to the parentage of the late Mr. Frederick Lee Hodges, Sr. and the late Mrs. Mary Bell Roberson Hodges Dixon. Rosa was reared by her mother and stepfather, the late Mr. Jessie “Tap” Dixon. She was the fourth of seventeen children.

Rosa was educated in the Dixon Grove COGIC School. Later in life Rosa moved to Atlanta (where she lived for five years) was employed at Crawford Long Hospital. Rosa worked with other families in and around the Atlanta area. Rosa and her husband Robert moved back to Washington County in 1956. she was employed by the Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, GA in the laundry department and retired on July 18, 1988 after twenty seven years of service.

Rosa became a member of the Jordan Station AME Church at the age of fourteen, she also attended Dixon Grove COGIC, and later under the leadership of Rev. EC Green, became a member of Poplar Spring Baptist Church. Rosa was an avid church worker. She served as a supervisor of the Food Service Ministry for ten years, President of the Poplar Spring Baptist Church Choir and also a member of the Gum Hill Baptist Church Choir. Rosa was the “Mother of the Church” at Poplar Spring Missionary Baptist Church.

She was a talented singer, who was called on to sing at many funerals and church functions. Rosa also had a passion for growing flowers, fishing, sewing, attending ceramic class and cooking (especially making cakes for her family and friends). She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, sister, auntie and friend.

On August 18, 1951, Rosa was united in holy matrimony to the late Mr. Robert Turner, Sr., who transitioned to heaven after thirteen years of marriage. To this union God blessed them with five children: Delois, Eliza, Joann and the late Robert Jr and Gregory. Rosa was blessed with one step-daughter: Mrs. Clemistine Cuyler Scott. She was united in holy matrimony to the late Mr. Harrison Williams, Sr., and was blessed with ten step-children.

She was preceded in death by eleven siblings: Annie Mary, Elizabeth, Ruth Thelma, Louise, Bessie, Janet, Thelma, Shirley, Robert, Fredrick, Jr., Nathaniel; one grandchild Mr. Derrick D. Taylor, and two great grandchildren: Ms. Whitney D. Jordan and Mr. Dikwan Baker.

Mrs. Williams leaves to cherish her precious memories, her daughters: Ms. Delois Turner Gordy, Sandersville, GA, Ms. Eliza Turner Watts, Tennille, GA, Mrs. Joann (Lindsey) Landers, Harrison, GA, Mrs. Clemistine (Louis) Scott, Evanston, IL; six step children: Ms. Dorothy Jordan, Ms. Bernice Ward, Ms. Tiny M. Braddy, Ms. Ruth Haynes, Mr. Harrison (Helen) Williams, Mr. Norman (Angelene) Williams; two daughters-in-law: Ms. Deborah Hall Turner, Mrs. Dorothy Trawick Turner, Milledgeville, GA; one sister: Ms. Christine Hodges George, New Jersey; four brothers: Mr. Sammy (Mildred) Dixon, Mr. Tommy (Claudie) Dixon, Tennille, GA, Mr. Ernest Dixon, Philadelphia, PA, Mr. Morizel Hodges, Coatesville, PA, thirteen grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. M.C. Smith Funeral Home in charge.