Rosa Beatrice Watson Beasley was born in Bertie County, North Carolina to Audrey Watson and Walter Cherry on March 24, 1926. Rosa departed this life on earth to live with her heavenly father at 8:15 am on March 24, 2014 at her home.

At an early age, she became a member of the Cedar Landing Baptist Church where she remained a member for many years.

During her elementary and junior years, Rosa attended school in the Middle Track area of Bertie County where she excelled in her academics and enjoyed playing tennis on dirt. She graduated from C.G. White High School in 1944.

After high school, Rosa met and married Eddie McCoy Beasley Sr. She was a housewife and co-farmer with her spouse. After marriage, she became a member of the New Bethany Baptist Church, Harrellsville, North Carolina where she served as a choir member, usher, Sunday School teacher, deaconess, and missionary worker.

As a young woman, Rosa had a heart for the sick and loved to visit the sick and offered a helping hand to those in need. Also, she loved to work. In 1965, Rosa began working outside the home where she was a faithful worker at the Sunbeam and the Alamac Companies, Ahoskie, from which she retired. Some of her special interests were diligently reading her Bible and newspaper, and flower and vegetable gardening.

Preceding her in death, besides her parents, were her brothers, Robert Jernigan and Thomas Watson; sister, Louise Watson Ware; and a special cousin who helped raise her, Louise Watson Speller.

Children left to cherish her memory are: Eulis C. Beasley (Patricia Jean), Petersburg, Virginia; Harvey Lewis Beasley Sr. (Willie Beatrice), Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Eddie McCoy Beasley Jr. (Powellsville); Patricia Beasley, Alexandria, Virginia; and Katrenia Bryant (Dr. Benny Bryant), Wilmington, North Carolina. Surviving grandchildren are Eulica S. Kimber (Kevin), PetersburgVA; Patricia M. Beasley (Michelle), Petersburg, VA; Harvey Lewis Beasley Jr. (Chika), Chennai, India; and Hilbert Lawrence Beasley, Rocky Mount, NC. Six great grandchildren: Kiana Kimber, Kandance Kimber, Jonah Beasley, Jessica Beasley, Jordan Beasley and Sana Beasley. Also, surviving is a special cousin, Golena Watson Speller, a niece, Marilyn Riddick, North Las Vegas, Nevada; a nephew, Lloyd Ware, Jr., Lawton, Oklahoma; and a host of other relatives.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. by the Rev. William C. Clark at New Bethany Baptist Church.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Hunter’s Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is handling the arrangements.

“For by the grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves; It is the Gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast”. (Ephesians 2:8-9)