Rosa E. Smith

Mrs. Rosa Elaine Reece-Smith was born February 14, 1955 at Saint Elizabeth Hospital,  Dayton, Ohio, to Deacon Kitrell and Deaconess Geraldine Lawson-Reece. Rosa made her final transition to glory January 12, 2021 at Sienna Woods Care Center in Dayton, Ohio. She was the widow of Rev. Stephen Smith I, who transitioned in 2017. 

Rosa dedicated her life to God, and was baptized at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Dayton, at a young age.  From an early age, Rosa demonstrated an affinity for helping and caring for others. She attended Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, and later Phillips Temple Church.

Rosa graduated from Roosevelt High School, Class of 1973. She attended the University of Akron. In the Spring of 1977, she was initiated into the Zeta Alpha Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She graduated from UA School of Nursing with a BSN in 1979. In 1982, she married her college sweetheart, Stephen Smith I, and they had two children, Stephen II (1984) and Savannah (1995). Rosa loved to laugh, and had a zest for life.

As a Registered Nurse, her first professional endeavor began as a staff member of Akron General Hospital. In over 30 years as a healthcare professional, Rosa impacted the lives of many people from all walks of life. She worked in several areas of medicine, and in the field of Law as an evidence analyst for several law firms. Rosa was also a frequent food vendor of The Dayton Black Cultural festival. She was an avid education, music, board game, and trivia enthusiast. Some of her favorite Television shows included, "Password," "Jeopardy," and "M.A.S.H."

Rosa enjoyed debating, and loved fashionable shopping. Rosa would often have the latest information on the newest styles and sales in the area. Affectionately known as, “Top Nurse,” "Rosie," and, "Ro," she was a jokester and loved attending comedy shows. Besides her unceasing dedication to her family, community and the nursing profession, Rosie loved saying, “I am from The West Side, Baby." She would often share stories of walking to West Town Shopping Center as a kid, and blasting WDAO, as well as U92 radio stations in her car. She was often quoted as saying, "The West side is the best side." Rosie loved wearing “big” hats, sharp clothes, and fellowshipping with her beloved Delta Sisters. 

Rosa is preceded in death by her parents, Kitrell (1982), and Geraldine (1993); and oldest brother Eugene Reece (2013). Rosa is survived by her son Stephen II, (Ashley) of Augusta, Georgia; daughter Savannah, and sweet granddaughter Royaltee of Dayton, Ohio; brothers Jerry (Telitha Jean) Reece of Dayton, Ohio, and Johnny (Lauren) Reece of Lexington, Kentucky; and a devoted sister Sharon K. Reece of Dayton, Ohio. A host of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Rosa loved to travel, read, and write. She was a fighter all 65 years of her life. May her light in heaven continue to shine as an example of God's love, grace, and mercy forever. Rosa was a beautiful spirit and would often say, "I don't want you all (y'all) to be sad at my funeral. I want you all (y’all) to celebrate life, because baby, I lived a great one and I loved every minute!" Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us that, “There is a time to weep…a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…”

Walk-Through Visitation 12-12:45PMJanuary 21, 2021 at H.H. Roberts Mortuary. Private Service at 1:00 PM will be live-streamed:  facebook.com/HHRobertsDayton. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Hospice of Dayton.

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