Rosie Yancey

August 4, 2020.

Rosie was born January 4, 1950 in Richlands, VA. She attended Bluefield State College.

Rosie is retired from ARC in Hagerstown, MD and a longtime member of Mt. Zion UMC in Martinsburg. After Rose retired, she opened a home daycare and her children there referred to her as grandma. She was a member of the Civitan Club and she was active in Special Olympics. Rosie was known for making the best pound cake, applesauce cake, and homemade rolls. Rosie was a woman who believed in keeping her family together; Whenever her sisters or brothers needed her help with their children, she took them in with open arms. Rosie loved the color red. She could spot someone or something red a mile away. She had beautiful long nails that she always kept painted red. Her children and grandchildren teasingly called her a bloodhound because she could smell anything.

Before Rosie became ill with dementia, she was raising two of her daughter's children and her son's only daughter. Rosie was also a uterine cancer survivor. When Rosie became unable to care for herself, her daughter Angela became her permanent caregiver and did not hesitate to welcome her and her five grandchildren into her care and her home.

Rosie was a strong woman and she will be remembered by her love for her children and grandchildren. Many people always complimented her on her beautiful smile and skin complexion. Her children and grandchildren will always remember the love she had for them.

Rosie leaves behind her daughters Angela Yancey Mitchell, who adored her and referred to Rosie as her Queen, and Lisa and Tabitha Yancey. Her oldest grandchildren; Juan, and Alexus Yancey. She also leaves behind her grandchildren she helped raise: Capri, Daizia Orr, Falcan, Xerxees, Bobby, and Messiah. As well as her other grandchildren, Trey Henry, Christian, Malik, Tevon, Sinzir, Heaven, and Leon Yancey III. She is survived by her sisters Barbara Starr of Hempstead, NY, Cornelia Burkhalter of Alabama, Carolyn Graves of Bluefield, VA and two brothers Lester (Carolyn) Burkhalter of Petersburg, VA and Ollie Tony of Florida, and niece, whom she raised, Shelia Starr of Florida. And her favorite tractor trailer driver Willie. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 37 years, Leon T. Yancey Sr. Her only son Leon T. Yancey II, affectionately known as T.J. and her precious daughter Sonjia. Her parents Ralph and Irene Burkhalter, her siblings Gara Harrell, Fannie Burrow, Hattie Harris, Henry Burkhalter and her brother Ralph Burkhalter Jr. who served and lost his life in the Vietnam War.

Homecoming services will be held at 1pm Friday, August 14, 2020 at Rosedale funeral home chapel in Martinsburg, WV with Pastor Edward Hall officiating. Family will receive friends and family at 1pm until 2pm prior to the service. The family is requesting you wear red in honor of Rose.

Social distancing will be honored and everyone is required to wear a mask, no exceptions. Per Rosie's request, in lieu of flowers please send donations in her memory to her grandchildren in the care of their aunt Angela Mitchell. Angela can be reached through her Facebook profile Angela Yancey Mitchell. Rosie always said give me my flowers while I can smell them.

Arrangements by Rosedale Funeral Home. Rosie Lee's services will be live streamed on Rosedale Funeral Home's Facebook page.