Rose L. (Artis) Rose's Obituary
Rose Lee (Artis) Rose, 75 returned to her heavenly home on March 7, 2018 after a valiant battle with long illnesses.
Rose L. Rose was born Rosa Lee Artis in Birmingham, Alabama on August 12, 1942 to the late Rosa Webster and T.B. Artis. Rose later moved to York, AL where she stayed with her father and her step mother Susie, who would raise her as one of her own and become an important figure in her life.
At 14, Rose met her eldest daughters father. At 15, She had a beautiful baby girl she named Rose Marie Artist. Rose met Tommie Drake Jr. In York AL. It was then they decided to relocate. Rose moved to Queens, NY in the late 1960's where she worked as a hairdresser and a caregiver as she raised her family. Her first son Andre Drake was born in 1970 and last daughter, Shanika “Nikki” Drake followed in 1979.
In April of 2000, Rose decided to leave NY with her daughter and move to Tacoma, WA where her son and grandchildren resided. As Rose suffered through different illnesses she never gave up hope. She was a fighter to the end. Each time she was faced with another complication or illness, she beat it leaving her friends and family in awe of her resilience.
Rose definitely lived up to her name she was just as delicate as the flower. She enjoyed living life, she loved her children. Grandchildren and great Grandchildren. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for them. To see her face light up the entire room when they came into the room was something special. She was so proud of her family and told anyone she came across how much they all meant to her. To know Ms Rose was to love Ms Rose. She touched everyone she met. From bankers, store clerks, receptionists, to doctors- she never met a stranger and they all loved her. Her passion for life, love for all and strong spirit made that easy. Rose loved to help and did it without judgement. Love and prayers was her method. She loved to dance, loved to visit, she had a way of making people laugh, she also loved to eat seafood and watch her favorite sports teams. She was a great cook some of the most memorable dishes her collard greens, oxtails, linguine with fresh clams, some of the most delicious cooking you’d ever eat.
Rose is survived by her sister Mildred Artis, New Orleans, LA, a brother Samuel Artis, her three children, Rose Marie Artis (& Dan) of New Orleans, LA, son Andre (& Gwynne) Drake Olympia, WA, Shanika "Nikki" Drake. Grandchildren Shawanda, James (preceded in death), Kayla, Cameron, Kenyon, Krysette and Brooklyn. 4 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
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