Rosie Lee Gilmore

Rosie Lee Gilmore, age 82, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Greenleaf Living Center in Elkhart, Indiana. Rosie was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 29, 1936, to the late James & Emily (Morris) Gilmore.

She was a graduate of O'Bannon High School in New Madrid, Missouri in 1957. She later married Charles Willis on June 3, 1976, and he proceeded her in death on June 9, 2002.

Other than raising her raising her children, grandchildren, and some great grandchildren, Rosie spent many years working at the Sikeston Dry Cleaners and also enjoyed being a grandmother at the Sikeston Kindergarten Center for 20 years. She spent most of her life nourishing and caring for the people around her with love, faith, encouragement, and her favorite, gospel music.

Rosie originally joined King’s Chapel under the leadership of Rev. J.L. Nabors. The church later became Cornerstone Baptist Church. Over the years, Rosie was faithfully involved in several ministries. She served in the choir for over 40 years and later served as the mission assistance secretary until her health failed. Rosie loved her church as much as she loved her family.

In spite of meeting her obligations and responsibilities, Rosie’s other interests and hobbies she enjoyed were: seeing about and checking on others in need, visiting family near and far, cooking her family’s favorite dishes, and fostering her love of plants by gardening. Anyone who came in contact with her would definitely be greeted with a hug or a kiss and may get an earful, but also a lot of love and encouragement. Rosie was such a blessing to so many.

In addition to her parents, grandparents, and husband, Rosie was preceded in death by her two daughters: Rosemond Uneik Gilmore and Valerie Jean Williams; three sisters: Earline Honorable, Ethel Abernathy, and Stella Gilmore; and five brothers: Lt. James Gilmore Jr., Willie Roy “Baby Ray” Gilmore, Jerome Gilmore, Sgt. Calquat “Bobby” Gilmore, and Michael Gilmore.

Left to honor Rosie and remember her love are her children: one son, Curtis Gilmore of Farmington, Missouri; six daughters, Tammy Gilmore of St. Louis, Missouri, Earline Gilmore, Cynthia Gilmore, & Samona Gilmore all of Sikeston, Missouri, Desweda Carter of West Memphis, Arkansas, and Charlette (Dwayne) House of Elkhart, Indiana; one sister: Dorothy Smart of Elkhart, Indiana; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other nieces and nephews, and close friends.

Friends may call Friday, July 5, 2019 from 10:00 A. M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 noon at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Sikeston, Missouri with the pastor, Reverend L. J. Nabors, officiating.  Interment will follow in Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston, Missouri with the Williams Funeral Home of Sikeston, Missouri in charge of arrangements.