Obituary: Rosa Lee (Jones) Hawes

October 1, 1930 – June 22, 2025

Rosa Lee (Jones) Hawes, 94, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 22, 2025, leaving behind a towering legacy of leadership, service, and love. Though small in stature, standing just under five feet tall, Rosa lived a life that stood tall in the face of injustice, inequality, and adversity.

Born on October 1, 1930, in Campbellsburg, Kentucky, Rosa was the eldest daughter of 11 children to Elzy Jones and Bernice Lee Keener. Her childhood church was Second Baptist Church in Campbellsburg, Kentucky. She attended Lincoln Institute High School in Simpsonville, Kentucky for two years, before moving to Dayton, Ohio to live with her aunt and uncle. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949. Rosa later pursued studies at Wilberforce University and Capitol University.

She began her professional journey as a secretary, but soon found her true calling in real estate, entering the field in the mid-1950s to help support her growing family. What started as a side venture quickly became her passion, purpose, and platform for progress.

Rosa met the love of her life, Frank L. Hawes, at St. Luke Baptist Church. They were married for 62 years and together co-founded Hawes Realty, which became one of the largest Black-owned real estate firms in the region, at one time boasting over 30 agents across two offices. Hawes Realty empowered thousands of Black Daytonians to achieve the American dream of homeownership, often in the face of discriminatory practices like redlining and inequitable lending.

Rosa’s impact extended well beyond her business endeavors. A fearless civil rights activist, she was once arrested alongside Arthur Ashe during a protest for equality. She marched, picketed, and sat in - from Dayton to Columbus to Washington, D.C. - never shying away from the front lines of justice. Her activism continued for decades through her work with the Dayton Human Relations Council, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, and advisory roles shaping the Salem Avenue Business District and the Downtown Dayton RTA Hub.

She held leadership positions in the Dayton Association of Real Estate Brokers and was widely respected as a mentor to generations of professionals. She received many awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year from the University of Dayton’s Small Business Development Center and the Outstanding Realtist Award for her commitment and service. She was also honored as a Kentucky Colonel, a prestigious recognition presented by the governor of Kentucky, nominated by her brother, Charles Jones.

For many years, Rosa was also a dedicated Sunday school teacher at Unity of Dayton.
 

But, Rosa's most meaningful achievements were rooted in family. She and Frank raised their children, Ro Nita and Frederic, with values of courage, compassion, and community. She was a loving mother, a cherished grandmother, and the magnetic force behind 36 years of unforgettable family reunions that brought together hundreds of loved ones in celebration and unity at their lake house home in Eaton, Ohio.

Even in her later years, as she faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, Rosa remained a source of wisdom, warmth, and presence. Her conversations may have changed, but her spirit never did. She was always “our person” - the heart of our family and a guiding light in our lives.

Rosa’s passing does not leave a void; it leaves a legacy, one defined by purpose-driven work, justice-centered leadership, and unwavering love. She reminded us all that “doing the right thing, even when you have to stand alone” - is more than a motto; it’s a mandate.

She is now reunited with her husband Frank and walks in the light of those she fought so hard to uplift.

Her life was a sermon. Her legacy, a movement. Her love, unforgettable.

Cherishing her memory are her devoted daughter, Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders; her son, Fredric L. Hawes (Brenda); her grandchildren, Devin L. Hawes (Jazzmyn), Taylor Hawes, and Donnica Hawes-Saunders (Hugh F. Mulzac III); sisters Nora Craig and Gertrude Chambers; brother Charles A. Jones; her beloved Dayton Chapter of the Realtist Association; nieces, nephews, extended family, and a host of other relatives and friends.

“Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the flame because the dawn has come.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association:
 

Donate by Phone:

In Honor of Rosa Lee (Jones) Hawes

800.272.3900
 

Donate by Mail:
In Honor of Rosa Lee (Jones) Hawes
Alzheimer’s Association
P.O. Box 96011
Washington, DC 20090-6011