Obituary for Rosetta LaVern Lewis
Rosetta LaVern Lewis, USA, Retired, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2022, at home, surrounded by loved ones after a battle with lung and heart disease.
Rosetta was born to Thomas Lee Lewis, Sr., and the late Bernice Bethune Willis on 1 November 1945 in Clinton, NC. She was raised in a loving and nurturing home by Hettie Park. Rosetta, affectionately known as Rose or Ms. Rose was adventurous. Despite being small in stature, she was extremely tough. While living in Clinton, she drove a school bus. One of her passengers, Lola Bennett, also raised by Hettie Park, recalled one particular bus ride with Rose at the wheel. Rose veered off the road into a ditch. Without panicking, she fearlessly got back on the road and completed the mission of transporting the rest of her students as if nothing ever happened. Lola and Rose never shared the story with anyone else. This was a demonstration of the devotion that they had for each other. When Hettie Park died, Rose took care of Lola like the big sister she was.
Rose left Clinton at the age of seventeen moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was nurtured and loved by her late Aunt Burnell. Later she made her way to Newburgh, New York for a while with her children and late companion, William Levin. Her father, Thomas Lee Lewis, Sr., and late Stepmother Ruth Lewis would prove to be an unwavering support system while there and beyond. After moving her family back to Philadelphia, Rose began her career in the field of nursing as an LPN. While being all about business, she loved being outdoors. A hectic work schedule didn’t allow her to enjoy the pastime often. However, when time permitted, she could frequently be found hunting with her dear friend, the late Mr. Stanley (Stan) Peterman.
There are many words that can be used to describe Rose. One of those words would be determined. Rose’s determination was incomparable. She was never satisfied with mediocrity. She believed in excellence and personified it. While working, she attended Temple University in pursuit of a nursing degree. She graduated from Temple University on May 28, 1984, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and became a Registered Nurse (RN). Rose continued to be a trailblazer and joined the United States Army as a commissioned officer as a Second Lieutenant.
Rose was a patriot indeed and believed in taking care of others much like she did little Lola years before. While stationed at Fort Dix, she worked as a nurse in the ICU. One of her patients was the mother of Darnice Cannon. The two had never officially met and were only affiliated via her mother’s hospital stay. As fate would have it, during her first tour in Korea, they would encounter one another for a second time. She saw Rose and thought she looked familiar, only to realize that she was the nurse that had taken such good care of her mother. The two became close friends, establishing a bond that would last a lifetime.
In addition, Major Lewis served two combat tours, participating in Kuwait and Operation Desert Shield. Rose served her country with honor and distinction with a career spanning 20
years, 1 month, and 19 days. Her decorations include but are not limited to an Army Superior Unit Award, Korean Defense Service Medal, an Asia Service Medal, with two bronze service stars, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for serving in Operation Desert Shield. Major Lewis retired from the US Army on March 31, 2005, having achieved the rank of Major as a Psychiatric Nurse. Still desiring to shape and mold future nurses, Rose trained individuals pursuing careers as registered nurses for 5 more years as a civilian.
After retiring as a civilian, she spent time doing things that she enjoyed. Those activities included fishing, and trips to the casino. The only thing that made the activities more enjoyable was doing them with people that she cherished. Rose would fish with her friend Mike Singleton and hit the slot machines with her cousin Anita in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rose also enjoyed gardening as her name was so befitting. She loved her family and fun, but Rose loved the Lord tremendously and she knew Him. As a young mother in Philadelphia, Rose attended Emmanuel Institutional Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. John Waller, Jr. She sang in the choir and so did her children. They also served on the youth usher board. She believed in participating and not just filling the pews. During her time as a member of The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square, under Bishop Anthony G. Maclin’s leadership, she was a member of their bowling league and served on the Nursing Committee.
Rosetta Lewis was preceded in death by her sister, Yvonne Bethune, with whom she was extremely close. She is survived by three children, Tonya Lewis-Corbin, Dennis Lewis, Monica Rodriguez, and Son-In-Love David Rodriguez, one Godson, Samuel Clark, her father Thomas Lewis, Sr., three sisters, Lola Bennett, Vernette Willis-Alcorn and husband, Dan Alcorn, and Elizabeth (Lib) Willis, two brothers Lester Austin, Thomas Lewis, Jr., and his wife Sandra Lewis. Rose had five grandchildren, Don T. Banks, Jr., Ervin K. Corbin, III, Keon Gilchrist, David Spriggs, and Daniel Lewis-Coleman. She had one great-grandchild, Nebreyah Banks, who affectionately called her GG.
She’s also survived by her loving Aunt Susie Faison. three sisters-in-love and three brothers-in-love, Rayetta (Cathy) Peel, Dorothy (Dot) Williams, Betty McBride, Preston (LB) Levin, and Eugene and James Williams, and four nieces Roschell Bethune Moore, Yolanda Jones, Vanessa Everette and Tracey Lewis. She will leave to cherish her memory, a host of other family members and friends, including her cousin, Anita Stackhouse.
Rose lived a life many could only dream of. She will truly be missed. She was a devoted mother, loving sister, friend, and courageous soldier, who served her country well.
Rosetta was born to Thomas Lee Lewis, Sr., and the late Bernice Bethune Willis on 1 November 1945 in Clinton, NC. She was raised in a loving and nurturing home by Hettie Park. Rosetta, affectionately known as Rose or Ms. Rose was adventurous. Despite being small in stature, she was extremely tough. While living in Clinton, she drove a school bus. One of her passengers, Lola Bennett, also raised by Hettie Park, recalled one particular bus ride with Rose at the wheel. Rose veered off the road into a ditch. Without panicking, she fearlessly got back on the road and completed the mission of transporting the rest of her students as if nothing ever happened. Lola and Rose never shared the story with anyone else. This was a demonstration of the devotion that they had for each other. When Hettie Park died, Rose took care of Lola like the big sister she was.
Rose left Clinton at the age of seventeen moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was nurtured and loved by her late Aunt Burnell. Later she made her way to Newburgh, New York for a while with her children and late companion, William Levin. Her father, Thomas Lee Lewis, Sr., and late Stepmother Ruth Lewis would prove to be an unwavering support system while there and beyond. After moving her family back to Philadelphia, Rose began her career in the field of nursing as an LPN. While being all about business, she loved being outdoors. A hectic work schedule didn’t allow her to enjoy the pastime often. However, when time permitted, she could frequently be found hunting with her dear friend, the late Mr. Stanley (Stan) Peterman.
There are many words that can be used to describe Rose. One of those words would be determined. Rose’s determination was incomparable. She was never satisfied with mediocrity. She believed in excellence and personified it. While working, she attended Temple University in pursuit of a nursing degree. She graduated from Temple University on May 28, 1984, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and became a Registered Nurse (RN). Rose continued to be a trailblazer and joined the United States Army as a commissioned officer as a Second Lieutenant.
Rose was a patriot indeed and believed in taking care of others much like she did little Lola years before. While stationed at Fort Dix, she worked as a nurse in the ICU. One of her patients was the mother of Darnice Cannon. The two had never officially met and were only affiliated via her mother’s hospital stay. As fate would have it, during her first tour in Korea, they would encounter one another for a second time. She saw Rose and thought she looked familiar, only to realize that she was the nurse that had taken such good care of her mother. The two became close friends, establishing a bond that would last a lifetime.
In addition, Major Lewis served two combat tours, participating in Kuwait and Operation Desert Shield. Rose served her country with honor and distinction with a career spanning 20
years, 1 month, and 19 days. Her decorations include but are not limited to an Army Superior Unit Award, Korean Defense Service Medal, an Asia Service Medal, with two bronze service stars, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for serving in Operation Desert Shield. Major Lewis retired from the US Army on March 31, 2005, having achieved the rank of Major as a Psychiatric Nurse. Still desiring to shape and mold future nurses, Rose trained individuals pursuing careers as registered nurses for 5 more years as a civilian.
After retiring as a civilian, she spent time doing things that she enjoyed. Those activities included fishing, and trips to the casino. The only thing that made the activities more enjoyable was doing them with people that she cherished. Rose would fish with her friend Mike Singleton and hit the slot machines with her cousin Anita in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rose also enjoyed gardening as her name was so befitting. She loved her family and fun, but Rose loved the Lord tremendously and she knew Him. As a young mother in Philadelphia, Rose attended Emmanuel Institutional Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. John Waller, Jr. She sang in the choir and so did her children. They also served on the youth usher board. She believed in participating and not just filling the pews. During her time as a member of The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square, under Bishop Anthony G. Maclin’s leadership, she was a member of their bowling league and served on the Nursing Committee.
Rosetta Lewis was preceded in death by her sister, Yvonne Bethune, with whom she was extremely close. She is survived by three children, Tonya Lewis-Corbin, Dennis Lewis, Monica Rodriguez, and Son-In-Love David Rodriguez, one Godson, Samuel Clark, her father Thomas Lewis, Sr., three sisters, Lola Bennett, Vernette Willis-Alcorn and husband, Dan Alcorn, and Elizabeth (Lib) Willis, two brothers Lester Austin, Thomas Lewis, Jr., and his wife Sandra Lewis. Rose had five grandchildren, Don T. Banks, Jr., Ervin K. Corbin, III, Keon Gilchrist, David Spriggs, and Daniel Lewis-Coleman. She had one great-grandchild, Nebreyah Banks, who affectionately called her GG.
She’s also survived by her loving Aunt Susie Faison. three sisters-in-love and three brothers-in-love, Rayetta (Cathy) Peel, Dorothy (Dot) Williams, Betty McBride, Preston (LB) Levin, and Eugene and James Williams, and four nieces Roschell Bethune Moore, Yolanda Jones, Vanessa Everette and Tracey Lewis. She will leave to cherish her memory, a host of other family members and friends, including her cousin, Anita Stackhouse.
Rose lived a life many could only dream of. She will truly be missed. She was a devoted mother, loving sister, friend, and courageous soldier, who served her country well.