Rosia (Nixon) Etheridge

Rosia Jeanette Nixon Etheridge our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend went home to be with the Lord on Friday August 13, 2021. She was born on December 30, 1948 to the late Asa and Carrie Lee (Garrison) Nixon in Long Creek, NC. As an adult, she became a longtime resident of Norfolk, Va.

Rosia was educated in the Pender County school system. She was a trailblazer before she even knew it. Rosia was one of the first black students to integrate the Pender County school system, attending Burgaw High School along with her white peers. She helped open the door for so many black girls and boys today. Rosia was born a fighter, someone who believed in fighting for what was right. She was passionate until the day she was called home. She touched so many people over the years of her life that, she became known as “Momma Rose.”

Rosia was known for her dynamic personality and wit, she was always the life of the party. She expressed her creative energy through home projects. She did it all, from sewing to building walls, and working in the yard. You could catch her at least once week digging out weeds from the garden, with her heels on.

Rosia later found out that her gift was the gift of love. She had love for all people. She would give the shirt off her back if necessary. She was given the pleasure and honor to touch the lives of so many people. Rosia considered helping others a privilege and honor. She shared both her time and talents, making a difference in the lives of the many individuals who were helped by her knowledge of troubleshooting and helping to fill out documents, applications, and getting needed services. Rosia has been a loyal active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 37, where she served on the the food bank committee and volunteered whenever called upon.

Rosia was proceeded in death by her parents, Asa and Carrie Lee (Garrison) Nixon, siblings Jerry Nixon, Maxie Nixon, James Asa Nixon, Velma (Nixon) Bromelle and Albert “Danny” Nixon . She leaves to cherish her memory: four sons, Cornelius C. Walker, Lloyd L. Nixon, Lamont A. Walker (Shauntel), Hakeem Jean Pierre, three daughters Sakyibera “Leesa” Ekufia (Osokam), Mary Delores Walker, Naisha Hollaway (Alexander), and nine grandchildren, Taleta Walker, Vashawn Walker, Latesha Bittle, Salamon Fitzgerald, Tequila Alexander, Lamont Walker Jr., Tiyiana Walker, Christopher Nixon, Zakariah Nixon, three sisters, Muriel Hines, Katie Wilson, Barbara Hayes (James); two brothers, Joseph Nixon and Carnell Nixon (Iris) and a host of great grandchildren, family and friends.

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