Rosalie Booker affectionately known as “Gam” was born on August 25, 1925 in Suffolk, Virginia to the late Elsie White-Copeland and Edward Copeland. She departed her earthly walk of life on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. She was four years old when her mother died and was subsequently raised by Obdiah and Lucille Boone. Rosalie is predeceased by her mother, sister, father and husband.
Rosalie was married to the late Howard Booker, Jr. in 1946 and from that union they had three daughters Beverly, Sharon and Valarie.
Rosalie was employed for many years at Letchworth Village in Thiells, NY and retired in 1990 from Rockland Psychiatric Center, Orangeburg, NY.
Rosalie went through the Nyack Public School system. She attended Rockland Community College where she graduated with a degree in Occupational Therapy.
Rosalie was a devoted and faithful member of the St. Philips African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church joining under the pastorate of the Rev. Roland W. Fernanders. She has been a member for over 50 years. Rosalie was consecrated a Deaconess on November 28, 1982 and she served as president of the deaconess board for many years until her health prevented her to serve. She was a member of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society and Senior Usher Board. Rosalie loved St. Philip’s and her church family. She loved going to church even when it was not easy to make her way there, she pushed herself to come to worship in the house of the Lord. Rosalie also served as President of the Central Nyack Seniors for many years.
Rosalie was an avid walker when she retired from Letchworth Village. Every morning at 5:00 a.m. she walked with her good friend Alberta Washington at Rockland Lake State Park.
Rosalie leaves to cherish her memory, three daughters Beverly Watkins of Nyack, NY, Sharon Booker-Robinson, of Roswell, GA, Valarie Thurman (Connie) of Roswell, GA; seven grandchildren, Shonda Watkins, Doreen Wigfall (Charles), Ernest Watkins (Tanisha), Connie (Jimmy) Thurman, Jr., Jennifer White (Dietrich, Sr.), Edward Thurman (Jennifer), Christopher Thurman, and Debra Veada; eighteen great-grandhildren, Shanice, Shanae, Naija, Shantara, Samiya, Sean, Kristopher, Joscelyn, Dietrich, Jr., Shenique, LaShanda, Shadeitrich, Christopher, Jay, Emirrah, Taevion., Edward, Jr. and Caleb; eight great-great grandchildren, Jahmeir, Kristen, Corey, Liam, Lenox, Kyrin, Karsyn and Zaire; and one first cousin, Ruben Chase, Sr. as well as a host of cousins and Friends