Rose Mary Butler, 66, of Portland, Oregon, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2013. Born December 2, 1946 in Bolton, Mississippi, she was the daughter of the late Roosevelt and Bernice (Smith) Johnson. Rose moved to California as a child, and lived there until she was 8 years old, when the family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. While living in New Orleans, she became the proud mother of her five children, and together they moved to Oregon in 1978.
Rose was baptized Jehovah’s Witness, and spent over 30 years spreading the message of Love and Jehovah. She worked hard as a single mother, raising her children by working as a nutritionist for Oregon State University Extension Services, and as a school bus driver. Rose was an accomplished self-taught artist who enjoyed painting and drawing. Her talent shined through everything she did: from sewing and gardening, to cooking and baking. And she loved to entertain! She was an excellent cook who would host dinner parties where she would create delicious meals for friends and guests, and made sure everyone left full and happy. She was a true lady of many talents and loves, but her biggest passion was her never-ending love for her family and Jehovah.
Rose’s life was defined by her strength and her resilience. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her five children: Ben, Guy, Bernice, Alexcia, and Candy; nine grandchildren: Alex, Deonnah, Arsenio, Jasmine. Mariah, Dylan, Princeton, Mekiyah, and Adonis; great grandson Noah; sisters Marie Johnson and Mary Helen Brown; and her brother Phillip Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents Roosevelt and Bernice Johnson; sister Bernesteen Johnson; and brother Willie James Johnson.
A Celebration of Rose’s Life will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 7:00pm at the Maywood Park Congregation Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, 2930 NE 102nd Avenue in Portland.
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