Rossie Mae Butler Smith

Mrs Rossie Mae Butler Smith was born on December 26,1940 in Reidsville, to the late Beitha and Albert Butler. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Juanita Grant, Edna Butler, Doretha Moore, and Alethia Blount. Although she wasn’t the baby girl of the crew, she made sure that her siblings knew that she was special. Rossie was educated in the Tattnall County school system until the 11th grade. That’s when she decided that she was grown, done with school and got married. She divorced shortly after and made the decision to go back to school, where she graduated from J.D. Dickerson’s in Vidalia, class of 1966. After graduating, she met “the love of her life” the late Joseph Smith. They moved to Texas and that is where she began her life long career as a Certified Nursing Assistant. There was something special about her certification. It was obtained through the mail and it had no expiration date. She was not able to physically work the last few years of her life, but she was a supervisor to those who were assigned to her care. Making sure they did things the right way and if they didn’t, she had no problem letting them know. Rossie loved working. Her work was not just a job; it was a calling to serve others. She loved her work family and patients that she cared for. 

When she returned to Georgia, she began working at Tattnall Memorial Hospital. She stayed there for several years before venturing into home health but ultimately returning back to the hospital. While at the hospital, she loved mentoring the new CNA’s, teaching them all she knew. Her work did not go unnoticed. She was named a supervisor during her tenure. She worked there until she took ill and retired. However, retirement was not for her and sickness would not slow her down. She became a private sitter for many families in the area. She provided companionship, laughter, a listening ear, and helping hands to their loved ones. She did this until her health did not allow it any longer. 

She was a dedicated member of Greater Bethel AME church in Reidsville. She held many positions over the years but President of the Usher Board was dear to her heart. She would encourage the youth by buying uniforms and teaching them the way to be a great Usher. She held that position while serving on other boards/committees for 30+ years. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, Star of Glennville 162.

She was a loving sister, sweet aunt, great cousin, and a reliable friend, who left an unforgettable mark on everyone she met. If you knew her, you knew that sassy and sophisticated were two words you had to include in describing her.

No biological children, but she had blood nieces and nephews and neighborhood nieces and nephews that she treated like her own. She was nurturing, selfless, and endlessly supportive. She didn’t mind giving “a piece of money” for getting good grades, other educational accomplishments, and graduating. She became the “go to” for several of her nieces during prom season. She would give up her clean sporty car to allow them to ride in style to prom.

She loved her family. She looked forward to the annual Butler-Rogers’ Family Reunion, supporting financially behind the scenes to make sure it happened. She believed it was important for the family to get together. She enjoyed attending family functions and Christmas was one of her favorites. Her love and support extended not only to family and friends but complete strangers as well. She was big on charity. She financially supported Veterans, the fire department, the police department, and sponsored children in need.

It was not an easy decision for her when she had to leave home and begin a new way of living at Meadows Park. Her house was just the way she wanted it…..clean, everything in place. Heryard was perfect, grass always cut and not a piece of trash in sight. So it was a big adjustment to living in a long term care facility. After about 6 months, she began embracing her new life and enjoying the daily activities. She would look forward to what was on the calendar for the day, but BINGO became a highlight of the week. She participated in the Miss Meadows Park pageant. She enjoyed arts and crafts and would be excited to tell her family what the activity was for the day. She began encouraging other residents to become more active. They would even assign other residents to her because they knew that she would make sure they would be on time, in place, and participate. 

Her brother, Randy, were her extra pair of hands after she went into Meadows Park. He would make sure she got to/from her appointments and take care of any need she may have or wanted. Regardless of where she was living, she was still independent and a little bit “spunky”. 

Rossie was a fighter until the end and she would tell Randy what she was and wasn’t going to do. A life lived well and she will be missed greatly not just by family and friends but the community. She will always be loved and remembered by her two brothers, Tommy and Randy Butler. One aunt, Ola Pearl Ellis. God children, Ray Joyce, Tonya Steger, and James Cheney. A host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.