Rosetta P. Simons

On March 1, 2018, the Lord open the gates of Heaven and gently called Rosetta P. Simons home. “Rose,” as she was affectionately known, was the tenth of twelve children born on April 15, 1934 to Levi and Florida Powell in Norfolk, VA. Rose was raised in a loving Christian home and was baptized at an early age at First Calvary Baptist Church where she was a member until her death. Rose was educated in Norfolk Public Schools and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. After graduation, she met and married James Edward Warren. From that union, they had a daughter, Deborah Denise Warren. After the loss of James, Rose found love again and married William Holman. From that marriage, she had two sons, William and Levi. While raising her children, Rose followed her passion and her love of caring for others and became a certified caregiver. After the death of her husband, William, Rose continued her professional training in the health care profession. Rose was blessed to find love yet again and married Gene Simons. And soon after their wedding, she retired and became a full time caregiver to her husband until his death. All who knew Rose knew her to be a compassionate, loving person with a flair for style and fashion. She always had inspiring words of wisdom and encouragement to family and friends that came to visit. Her final years were spent at home where she was cared for by family and staff from Open Arms Nursing Care. In addition to her parents and husbands, Rosetta was predeceased by her siblings, Levi Powell Jr., Malachi Powell, Joseph Powell, Paul Powell, Nathaniel Powell, Geraldine Brown, Vivian Floyd, Mildred McCullough, Pinkie Evans, Berdie Haley, and Luvenia Trafton. Rosetta leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted children; her daughter, Deborah Hodge (Robert) of Washington, DC; her sons, William Holman of Norfolk, VA and Levi Holman of Fresno, CA; grandchildren, Dwight Alexander of Washington, DC; Angelina Alexander-Allsups (William) of Glen Burnie, MD, Stephan Baltrip of Washington, DC and Jordan Singletary of Chesapeake, VA; great grandchildren, Rashawn Alexander, Aryana Alexander, Antonio Harley, Jr., and lsaiah Curry and great-great grandchild, Jace Alexander; a brother, Raymond Powell of Austin, TX; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, church family and friends.

In life and in death, Rose said, “I did it my way.”