Rosie Johnson

Life Reflections

Rosie Lee Johnson was born on August 13, 1951 in Shelby, Mississippi to Georgia Lewis and Arthur Johnson.

At the age of 11 years old, Rosie confessed her love and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rosie attended Rosedale, High School in Rosedale, Mississippi where she participated in track and field, softball, and loved to sing and dance.

Rosie had an adventurous and courageous spirit. At the age of 16 years old, Rosie left Mississippi to move to Los Angeles, California to live with her uncle and aunt Will and Verna Lee Bowman.

In Los Angeles, Rosie worked several jobs, continued to explore her love for dance on the show Soul Train, and met her 1st husband Michael Lee Manuel Sr. From that union 2 children were born; Bridget Lynette Johnson and Michael Lee Manuel Jr. Rosie and her family left Los Angeles to move to St. Louis, Missouri.

Rosie cherished and valued family and had a strong faith. She continued to work to support her family and joined a church home to continue her work for the Lord.

During the early 80’s, Rosie re-married to Oliver Keyes and from that union Dennis Oliver Keyes was born.

In the mid 80’s, Rosie joined The Order of the Eastern Star organization.

Throughout Rosie’s life, she continued to have a strong faith and serve the Lord. She joined the St. Mark Freewill Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Robert L Owens. At St. Marks. She was the on the Usher Board, sung in the choir, attended Sunday School, Bible Study, Evening Services, and all special services.

As the years went on, Rosie found love again and re-married Michael Marion.
Rosie later joined the Greater St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Titus Irving, where she was a faithful member until her last days on earth.

Rosie is preceded in death by her parents Georgia Lewis and Arthur Johnson; Grandparents Josephine Wells and Franchie Wells; brothers Curtis Johnson, Frank Johnson, Arthur Johnson, Johnny Lee Johnson, and Robert Louis; sisters Josephine Louis and Ethel Mae Louis; Nephew Clayton Manuel and Goddaughter Sandra Faye Taylor.

Rosie leaves to cherish her memory daughter Bridget Johnson and Son-In-Law Anthony “Tony” Batts; her sons Michael Lee Manuel Jr and Dennis Oliver Keyes; Brothers Freddie Shelby and Willie Lee Louis and Sister-In-Law Schatoun Louis; Sisters Minnie Pearl Phillips, Pearleatha West, Annie Walker and Brother-in-Law Viree Walker; God sisters Nannie Lee Williams and Evelyn King; Sister-In-Law CherryAnn Manuel; Granddaughters Jasmine “Pooh” Manuel, De’Mir “Mimi” Keyes, Genecia Timmons; Grandsons Dennis “Tiger” Keyes Jr, Demori “Bright Eyes” Keyes, Daquon Sanders, Brandon Reed; Nieces T’Kesha West, Kimberly Williams, Athena Johnson, Sheerece Manuel, Jona Curtis, Tonda Johnson; God nieces Latanya Nicole Coleman and Michelle Kent; Nephew Tyrell Williams, Tremaine Johnson, Keith Hill; God nephews Tyrone Taylor and Travis Kent, and a host of relatives aunts, cousins, and friends.