Life Reflections

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the soul of Rose Mary White joined her Heavenly Father and entered into eternal rest. She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, devoted service, and deep love for her family and church community.

Rose Mary White was born on February 2, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the union of Nathaniel Sr. and Sarah Frances White. She was the fourth of eleven children and was raised in a home with strong values of faith, love, and perseverance.  Rose Mary received her early and secondary education through the St. Louis City Public Schools System.

In 1962, Rose Mary married Roosevelt Jones, and to this union, one son, Roosevelt Jones Jr., was born.   In 1969, she married Samuel Tipton, and together they were blessed with twin sons, Chris Anthony and Christopher Paul.

Rose Mary’s walk with Christ began at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, where she joined in October 1966 and was baptized in August 1967. Her faith continued to flourish as she became an active member of Oakgrove Missionary Baptist Church, serving faithfully as an usher and contributing her delicious baked goods to church events and fundraisers, always seeking to enhance the Kingdom of God. She remained a devoted servant there until 2015.

In 2015, Rose Mary joined The Cathedral at Pleasant Grove, where she quickly became a beloved figure within the congregation. Her spirit of wisdom, kindness, and grace led to her ordination as a Mother of the Church in 2016 - a title she cherished and honored with great dignity. Rose Mary served faithfully until her health began to decline, yet her love for the Lord and her church family never wavered.

Professionally, Rose Mary served her community as a dedicated employee of the United States Postal Service, working in the Accounting Service Center from January 1974 to June 2005, retiring after more than 30 years of service. She worked as an Accounting Clerk in the Money Order Branch, where her coworkers adored her beautiful smile, kind personality, and gentle spirit.

Rose Mary was a woman who embraced life fully. During and after retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her various travel groups, whether by bus or airplane, and made many cherished memories along the way. She was an avid reader, a competitive bowler who proudly won numerous trophies, and a passionate bargain shopper.  Her family often joked that she could live in a mall for 24 hours and walk out without buying a thing, but she would enjoy every moment of it.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Cecil Ray and Nathaniel Jr., and two sisters, Betty Marie and Kay Frances, in addition to her beloved sons, Roosevelt Jr. and Chris Anthony.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Paul Anthony; grandchildren, Maximillion, Quieleshyan, Matthew, and Joshua; great-grandchild, Robert IV; sister, Edna Mae, and brothers, Billie Joe, Anthony (Lula) Leon, Finas Lee, Richard (Angela) Harris, and David (Sharon) Lee; sister-in-law, Doreatha White; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her beloved church family.

Her legacy of love, faith, and strength will live on through every life she touched.  We celebrate the life of Rose Mary White, knowing that her labor was not in vain and her reward is eternal. May her soul rest in peace and power.