Jill Gray Rosser

Funeral services for Mrs. Jill Gray Rosser, age 63 of Gadsden, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at Collier-Butler Chapel. Pastor Tim Wallace of Grace Bible Church will officiate with burial to follow at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directing.

Mrs. Rosser passed away on Friday, May 27, 2016.

Cecilia Jill Gray Rosser was born in Rome, Georgia in 1952. She was happily married to Thomas Mark Rosser for 40 years. Jill attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham where she majored in art studies. She won many awards for her paintings and photographs including being named Artist of the Year by Governor George Wallace, the Disabled Professional of the Year by the Pilot Club International, and the LOTUS Award Nominee by the Spain Rehabilitation Center Women’s Committee for two consecutive years.

As an advocate for people with physical disabilities she achieved certification as a Peer Support Counselor. She also founded the disAbilities Support Group for people with Head and Spinal Cord injuries working closely with Graham Sisson and the state of Alabama Head Injury Foundation as well as with the Alabama Disabilities Administration.

She was a contributing writer for We Magazine.

During her life she met and worked closely with celebrities such as Christopher Reeves to increase health and community accessibility for people with physical challenges. A co-founder of ADA Counseling Company, she was responsible for bringing attention and change in Etowah County to decrease the number of physical barriers to citizens with physical challenges even convincing then Mayor Steve Means to use a wheel chair for an entire work day! She was a community volunteer, a loving daughter, sister, wife, friend and favorite aunt. She was a member of Grace Bible Church in Rainbow City.

She was preceded in death by her father, George P. Gray, Jr.

Jill is survived by her husband, Mark Rosser; mother, Connie Gray; sisters, Teresa (Walter) Johnson, Diane (John) Papajohn, and Susan (Glenn) Carter; brother, Preston Gray; mother-in-law, Lora Rosser; sister-in-law, Jane (Sam) Doss; nieces and nephews, Heather (Jeff) Higgins, Ashleigh Pearce, John (Kristen) Papajohn, Jr., Nicholas (Kerri) Papajohn, Joy (Michael) Souder, Chelsea Gray, Christopher (Whitney) Carter, Stephanie (Kris) Tribble, Paul (Ashlyn) Papajohn, and Samuel and Andrew Doss; and much beloved great nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be John Papajohn, Jr., Chris Carter, Paul Papajohn, Michael Souder, Nick Papajohn, Channing Morris, Colby Morris and Kris Tribble.

Honorary pallbearers will be the nursing and respiratory staff and doctors of Noland Hospital Anniston.

A heartfelt thank you from the family is extended to special nurses: Merry Mayell, Katie Johnson, Mel Taylor, Emilee Crawford, Vanecia Davidson and Denise Wilkins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Bible Church.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. A disability accessible entrance and parking are available at the rear of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.collier-butler.com