Rosie Jones was born in Anderson County, Texas, on July 1, 1945. She was the firstborn of Eli and Anna Madison’s ten children. She was raised in a Christian home and spent her early years in youth activities as a Morning Star Missionary Baptist church member. After moving to Fort Worth, she transferred her membership to the Pilgrim Valley Missionary Baptist Church, serving as president of the usher board for many years.
Rosie attended Palestine public schools and graduated from Alonzo Marion (A.M.) Story High School in 1963. She left home to continue her education at Jarvis Christian College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business.
Benefitting from the post-World War II expansion of the economy and job opportunities for black people created by the Civil Rights Movement, the young Rosie embarked on a career in corporate America. She became the first black person hired in executive office positions in three major corporations.
Her colleagues at General Electric often told the story that they were impressed when they received her resume and references. Thinking the applicant was white, the company prepared a due diligence letter explaining to the federal government that they could not find a qualified black applicant to fill the position. The company scheduled the interview, and in walked Rosie Jones. Before the Equal Opportunity Act passage, the position she held at General Electric was not open to black people. She was a General Electric employee until the closure of the Fort Worth office.
She joined the Tarrant County College (TCC) South Campus Continuing Education Division in 1996. It did not take long for Ms. Rose’s name to spread among the TCC students and staff. She was appreciated for her nurturing spirit and “tell-it-like-it-is” attitude. She faithfully served there until her retirement in 2011.
The constant theme in Rosie’s life is the love of family. As the oldest child, she was her mother's helper. She loved her birth family and was the go-to person as each sibling graduated from high school and followed her to Fort Worth. Following the example she set, each of her siblings enrolled in college. Although she loved her birth family, her greatest desire was to start one of her own.
On December 31, 1971, Rosie married Isaac Jones, her college sweetheart. From this union came one daughter, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Rosie loved her family unconditionally and felt most at peace when they were safe under her roof.
Rosie is greatly missed and will forever be remembered for her love and loyalty to family and friends. She valued relationships and built lasting ones with colleagues that remained intact even after her retirement.
Remaining to cherish her memory are her daughter, DaMora, grandsons, Kyron and Trevin, granddaughter, Ashlea Rose, and great-granddaughters, Kylah and Sevani. Also remaining are sisters; Anna, Jettie, Sanora and Cynthia (Carl); brothers, Eli (Rhonda), Larry (LaNetia) and Timothy (Deshanda); her favorite sparring partner, her niece, Rachel; one maternal aunt, Lila Burnett and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Her beloved husband, Isaac Jones, parents Eli and Anna Madison, sister Argie Hopson and brother James Madison preceded her in death.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Jones family.
