Rosa Richardson Stephens

On March 3, 2021, at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, the angel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came to escort Rosa Richardson Stephens, 77, of 160 Pitchfork Road, Chatham, VA, from this life to eternal rest.

Rosa was born February 2, 1944, to the late Rosa Mae Richardson Vaden and was educated in the Pittsylvania County Public Schools. At the early age of 12, she professed her faith in Christ and was baptized into the fellowship of Mountain Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Halifax, Virginia.

Rosa was united in holy matrimony to Jayvester Stephens on May 7, 1960, and this union was blessed with five beautiful daughters.

After matrimony she joined the Shockoe Missionary Baptist Church, Java, Virginia and held many positions. She was a member of the Nurse’s Ministry, Missionary Ministry, Court of Calanthe #250, Food Bank Ministry, Children’s Sunday School Teacher, the Kitchen Committee, and anywhere she was needed before her health declined. She let nothing separate her from serving God.

Rosa also served her community as one of the founding members of the local 640 Volunteer Rescue Squad where she was an EMT and driver from 1988 until to 2014. She was also a member of the Banister Community Outreach Club.

She was employed by Columbia Flooring, Bassett Walker, Dan River Mills, a private nurse’s aide for various families, and a school bus driver for Pittsylvania County Public Schools from September 1987 until her health declined in May 2004. She loved the children that rode her bus and they loved her as well, especially when she would bake them cupcakes and allow them to eat their cupcakes on the bus.

Even though Rosa was a multi-talented woman she had a special love for cooking, sewing and flowers. She was known as the community cook, especially her cakes that many bought near and as far away as Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and New York.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories her husband, Jayvester Stephens; five loving and devoted daughters, Rosa Shaw (Everett) of Richmond, VA; Brenda Stephens of Chatham, VA, Amanda Stephens of Burlington, NC, Janet Stephens of Chesterfield, VA and Cheramy Stephens of Danville, VA; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a step-father, Charlie Vaden of Chatham, VA; five siblings, Charlie L. Vaden (Yvonne) of Halifax, VA, Millicent Motely of Chatham, VA, Elaine Bennet (Hugh) of Blairs, VA, Paulena Vaden (Leslie) of Chatham, VA, and Elena Logan (Darrell) of Java, VA; four sisters-in-law, Gertrude Williams of Upper Marlboro, MD, Ruth Stephens of Lanham, MD, Yvonne Hartridge of Washington, DC, and Patricia Pope of Chatham, VA; three brothers-in-law, Ronald Lovelace of Danville, VA; Ronnie Stephens (Kim) of Washington, DC and Leon Stephens (Jean) of Chatham, VA; a devoted care giver, Betty Walker; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

A walk-through viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, March 5, 2021, at Miller Funeral Home from 4 until 7 p.m. The family will be present from 6 – 7 p.m. Funeral services for Mrs. Stephens will be conducted on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 1 p.m. from the Chapel of Miller Funeral Home with Pastor Antonel M. Myler, Sr., Eulogist. Interment will be in the Shockoe Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Java, VA. Services can be streamed live by logging on to www.millerfuneralhomeinc.com.

In compliance with state and federal regulations due to COVID-19, masks are required, and social distancing will be practiced during the visitation hours and funeral services. Ten (10) people at a time will be allowed for the visitation. No social gathering will be allowed.