Mother Rosie Emma Ferrell

Missionary Evangelist Mother Rosie Emma Carter (Blunt) Ferrell, 97, of Saginaw, Michigan, transitioned into her heavenly body on Saturday, December 22, 2012, surrounded by loved ones in Glenpool, Oklahoma. Rosie was born on May 26, 1915, in Clarksdale, Mississippi to parents, Andrew Carter and Catherine Weatherspoon Carter. Rosie was an only child, raised by her grandmother, Ellen Weatherspoon, her aunt, Veana Franklin, and her uncle, Lee Weatherspoon, affectionately known as “Uncle Boy”. Rosie accepted Christ in 1934 and has been known most of her life, above all else, as a devout lover of the Lord. She was committed to obeying and honoring Him in all circumstances, “doing all that [she] knew to be right”, by raising her family accordingly. She was married to Eddie Blunt in her late teens and from that union had three children. In 1944, she married Charlie Ferrell and had four more children. Once the children reached adulthood, she returned to school and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Saginaw Valley State College (now, Saginaw Valley State University). Since her young adult years, her life was filled with artistry. She enjoyed dancing, playing the piano and baking breads, cakes and pastries. She also was a master seamstress. Rosie helped charter Greater Williams Temple and was an active member until her passing. She was involved in many ministries at the church including Sunday School, Young People’s Willing Workers, Women’s Ministry and the State Sunshine Band. She was a committed member of the church, perfecting the balance of being involved in biblical community and having one’s own personal relationship with God. Her passion for Jesus was contagious and diligent, as she boldly shared the Gospel Message to every ear she could catch, in ways that were so uniquely “Rosie”. At age 78, she completed her “pilgrimage” goal of seeing the Holy Land and biblical site around Jerusalem. The majority of Rosie’s life was spent as a concerned Saginaw resident, committed to building the community. Over her lifetime, she has been involved in leading many community efforts, including fundraisers that benefited the OIC of Metropolitan Saginaw, the United Fund, and the March of Dimes. As a politically-involved citizen most of her adult life, she reflected her passion for community engagement through serving the Saginaw City Council and working at the election polls. Her spirit of community was honored especially in 1975, when she was presented with both the Michigan Senate-House Resolution Special Tribute for Service and the Humanitarian Award from the American Legion Post 500. Her executive leadership experience affected local chapters of the NAACP, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (who ran the Jerry Lewis Telethon), the League of Women Voters, the Society for Mental Health and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, amongst many others. In 2007, Rosie was honored for her decades of longstanding charter membership in and service to Greater Williams Temple. Rosie Emma Ferrell was an irresistible extrovert and her love for everyone was reflected in her on time telephone calls, vibrant recollection of memories and handwritten letters and unexpected gifts to family and friends. She loved gardening and seeing things grow, be it her perennials or the character of her children. Her breadth of achievements and deeds can never be captured here, but Missionary Evangelist Mother Rosie Emma Carter Ferrell left an expansive legacy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Minister Charlie Ferrell and two beloved sons, Henry Lee “Hank” Blunt and Joseph Charles Ferrell. Remaining to mourn her death and honor her memory are five children: Joyce Delano Barrow of Saginaw, MI, Wilma Thomas Blunt of Chicago, IL, Lois (Leion) Rene (Ferrell-Williams) Watkins of Glenpool, OK, Rose Ellen (Harris-Henry) Ferrell of Saginaw, MI, and Nathaniel (Sandra) Van Ferrell of Saginaw, MI; 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and devoted cousin, Bruce (Cathy) Weatherspoon. Family hour will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the Greater Williams Temple C.O.G.I.C, 608 E. Remington, with the funeral commencing at 12:00 noon. Bishop H. J. Williams will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

Mother Rosie Emma Ferrell

May 26, 1915 - December 22, 2012