Obituary of Rosetta E. Gray

Celebration of Life

Rosetta Emma Gray was born on August 9,1951, in Washington D.C. to the late Reverend Clarence C. Gray and Deaconess Pauline Gray. She was born the third daughter of nine children. She grew up in the Annandale, Virginia neighborhood called the “Pines.” On November 29, 2020, Rosetta transitioned to glory and is resting in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rosetta received her education through the Fairfax County Public Schools system where she attended and graduated from Oakton High School. She furthered her education at the University of Maryland College, Averett College, and the Northern Virginia Community College where she studied Business Management/Communications.

Rosetta accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age; was baptized and became a member of Second Baptist Church in Clifton, Virginia where her father, Reverend Gray was the pastor. In later years she joined Mount Sinai, Washington D.C. After joining Mount Sinai, she also became affiliated with Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church as a part of the Sargent Gospel-Aires choir and later served as their church secretary. Rosetta sang with the Gospel-Aires for over thirty years and will be remembered best for her rendition of “He’s an On Time God.”  She was also a member of Timbrel, a Christian vocal ensemble.  In recent years, Rosetta joined the First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover, Maryland where she helped to serve the community in various capacities.

She was a devoted mother to her sons, Jimmy and Marcus who affectionately called her “Reds.”  She was just as dedicated to her grandchildren and loved them fiercely. Family meant everything to her. She initiated and planned numerous family events and reunions. Many fond family memories were created because of her commitment to keep her family connected. She had a way of showing up to support her family. You could find Rosetta cheering on her grandchildren, nieces and nephews from the sidelines of sporting events, dance competitions, and other significant life events.

Blessed with multiple gifts and talents, Rosetta excelled and soared in everything she touched with overflowing energy. In her professional career as an events planner, she traveled extensively to supervise teams for marketing presentations. Rosetta also used her executive administration expertise while working at Arthur Anderson, Xerox Corporation, the Heritage Foundation, Kiplinger Washington Editors, and the United Negro College Fund. She was an entrepreneur at heart. She was a licensed hair stylist and was known as quite the fashionista for her sense of style. She was a shining star everywhere she went, including on stage acting and behind the scenes creating and staging props. She used her excellent organizational skills to help others plan celebrations for all types of events such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and graduations. She was widely known as an incredible cook. As a licensed food manager, she was the caterer extraordinaire for many events, to include Capitol Hill brunches and repast events for Sargent Memorial members.

Rosetta’s energy and enthusiasm was contagious. She loved to sing, hand dance, communicate with and help others. She enjoyed making people laugh, and could be quite the comedian and storyteller. Mere words don’t do justice to describe her true essence; however, a few would be giving, hardworking, unselfish, faith filled, strong willed, direct, generous to a fault and loving.

Her devoted husband Charles Chapman preceded her in death in 1995. In earlier years, Rosetta was married to James Williams (deceased) and leaves to celebrate her life their two sons, James Williams, III (LaShawn), Marcus Williams; three grandchildren: Dazelina Williams, James Williams, IV, and Noah Williams; and her godsons Jontae Barbour and Theodore Gross. Rosetta was preceded in death by her brother Jerome C. Gray.  Also left to cherish her memory are six sisters: Elsie Harris, Joyce Bellamy, Pauline Edith Barbour (James), Marjorie Brown (Johnnie), Pamela Gray Williams (Gene), Garnett Gray; two brothers, Reverend Charles Gray (Arie Del) and Bernard Gray (Carolyn); and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and friends

Topic: Rosetta Gray Home Going
Time: Dec 12, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85453598809

Meeting ID: 854 5359 8809
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,85453598809# US (New York)
+13017158592,,85453598809# US (Washington D.C)

Dial by your location
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 854 5359 8809
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbkX6YjVlM