Mrs. Vida Rouse

Fearfully and wonderfully made, her grace and beauty shined as a mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, wife, friend, leader, and woman of God. Vida Butler was born on June 28, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama to parents Allie Glass and Rev. Captain Leonard (C.L.) Butler. Vida was the eighth of thirteen children and was educated in Birmingham, Alabama and later graduated from Saginaw High School. As a child, Vida attended First Baptist, Gary Ensley Church; and was baptized in Edgewater Lake (Birmingham, Alabama) by her father Rev. C.L. Butler. Vida was a part of The Great Migration, and moved to Michigan, where she would make Saginaw her home. Her persistence and tenacity made it possible for her to advance through different manufacturing positions, to eventually achieve the goal of retiring from Saginaw Steering Gear. While in Saginaw she married William Eugene ‘Gene’ Rouse, a devoted and loving partner, who preceded her in death. As a woman with may interests she was intentional about prioritizing God, family, and service. She loved the Lord and was a proud and active member of Bethel A.M.E. Church for over 45 years. Her dedication was exhibited through serving as a member of the Bowman Gospel Chorus, Bethel Voices, 150th Anniversary Committee, and serving as a Reading Clerk for funerals. Her passion was the Men-Women’s Day, where she served several times as Women’s Day chair. She was also asked to serve in the prestigious position of chairwomen, of the Bishop’s Dining Room Committee whenever Bethel hosted the Michigan Annual Conference. Further, being a woman of style and class, her fashion especially her stunning hat collection did not let her go unnoticed. But most importantly she loved the Lord and believed in the power of prayer. Not one to waste time or an opportunity to better herself, once retired Vida enrolled in computer classes. She also volunteered her service at the Saginaw City Rescue Mission, helping in the children’s store, making apple pies for holiday fundraisers, and anything else that would be uplifting to give people hope and strength. She went on to join The Top Ladies of Distinction (TLOD) organization and served as the Saginaw Chapter President from 2013-2015. Under her leadership, the chapter earned their highest honor of a Five Star Chapter and received the esteemed President’s Award and Partnership Award. She especially loved working with the Top Teens Youth Group. As a leader in the community and her family, it was known that she liked things done right, and in her specific order. If they were not done to her expectations, she did not hesitate to let you know! The queen of not taking any mess, and handling business, she let her vivacious energy take her literally across the world. As she fed into her desire to learn about different cultures and traditions, she found herself in places like Brazil, Argentina, the Caribbean, New York City, and more. She passed the joy of travel to her granddaughters and made sure they knew from a young age to only pack what they could carry. Vida’s zest for life found its way to the kitchen. She took pride in her award-winning potato salad, baking her signature pineapple upside-down cake and cooking full course meals to uphold holiday traditions. It was her intention to better everything that she touched, including her garden which she enjoyed keeping immaculate. A visionary, a dreamer, and a doer, Vida had the courage, determination, and work ethic to set and achieve her goals. Her life serves as encouragement to stay strong in our faith in God and sets the expectation for us to do great things. More than anything Vida loved her family. She treasured time shared with her beloved son, Carlton, who mirrors her confident and charismatic personality. She leaves to carry on her legacy her son, Carlton (Glorietta) Flakes; three granddaughters, Bertha-Ann Chester, Ashley Flakes, and Alexis Flakes; one sister, Velma Gaddis; four step-children, Rev. William Rouse II, Barbara Tate, Dr. Gail Rouse, and Maria Brewer; godchildren, Major General (Ret.) Adolph McQueen and Dr. Roslyn McQueen; cherished friends, Yvette Wofford, Brenda Beard, Annye Roberts and Eleanor Taylor; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends. She is welcomed home by God to, her parents; spouse; brothers, James, Stanton, Ivory, Travis, and Winston Butler; her sisters, Sadie Maiden, Elnora Kroger, Ileane Ager, Lois Fletcher, Aretha McIntosh, and Madolyn Harvey. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Romans 8: 38-39 Vida’s famous sayings: “Use your own mind” “Get Bold” Visitation will take place from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2020 at Bethel AME Church, 535 Cathay Street, Saginaw, MI 48601. A private funeral service will be held. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601.

Mrs. Vida Rouse

June 28, 1932 - May 24, 2020