Rosa Sanders Stansbury
Rosa M. Sanders was born August 11, 1917 to the union of the late Arthur Sanders and Versie
Thurmond – Sanders in Lexington Mississippi, the fourth child of twelve children in that union.Rosa
went to be with God March 23, 1998. Preceding her in death was her sister , Ann and her brother,
Melvin. Rosa received her early education at Lexington Grade School, graduated from Ambrose
Vocational High School; after which she attended Jackson College in Jackson, Mississippi.


She confessed her belief in Christ at an early age and attended Zion Hill A.M.E. Church in Lexington,
Mississippi. On August 15,1937, she married Vernon C. Stansbury and moved to Chicago,Illinois in
1939. To this union was born four children, three sons and one daughter. Daughter Ellena Diane
preceded her in death. Rosa loved her family dearly. She was an encouraging, supportive and loving
mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose tireless efforts instilled an appreciation for hard
work, perseverance, and faith in Christ for her children. Her fierce determination and sacrifice for the
education of her children was rewarded by all the children obtaining advanced college degrees.

She worked twenty years with Ohmite Corporation, before embarking upon a very successful career in
real estate. She won numerous outstanding sales awards and was frequently in the million dollar
sales category.

Rosa joined St. Paul C.M.E. Church in 1939. Rosa subsequently was appointed to the Stewardess
Board. She was a dedicated member of Sunday School Class #17 and the H.W. Evans Club for over
fifty-eight years. She also served as a member of the Senior Choir for a number of years. Her faith and
love of God sustained her throughout her lifetime.

Rosa loved her brothers and sisters. As the focal point of family activities, she was a solid rock of
support that helped and loved without reservation. Her concern for the happiness and well-being of
others, devotion to family, and limitless generosity caused her to be loved by all who knew her. Rosa
obeyed the commandment to visit the sick, feed the hungry and clothe the needy.

We cherish her precious memory and long to reunite with her in heaven.Her favorite verse "Blessed
are the pure in heart; for they shall see God".


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                          Vernon C. Stansbury Sr.

I am now 93 years old. I was born January 10, 1909 in Lexington Mississippi; the second oldest child
of Arbie Davis and Jordan Stansbury who had four children; 2 sons and 2 daughters.

My memory of my older brother is vague, however, I do remember when the house we lived in caught
on fire and my Uncle Wes escaped with his guitar and left me in the burning house. I survived the fire
when I responded to the urging of the firemen to jump from the window ledge into their arms. My
brother perished in the inferno. My sisters had not yet been born.

My father who worked for the railroad as an engineer died of a bad heart when I was very young.
Mother had given birth to two daughters at this time. My mother continued trying to raise me and my
sisters Annie Pearl and Tennie B. With the help of my step-father Luke O'Neil.

I grew up a happy normal child and graduated from Lexington Grade School ; eventually went to Alcorn
College where I played football as a running back.

I learned to play the B Flat alto saxophone, and our band played in "juke joints".

While I was in school at Alcorn I renewed my acquaintance with Rosa Sanders who later became my
wife of sixty years before her death March 23,1998. We were married when I was 30 and she was 20.
Oddly enough we were born in the same house.

I later had to drop out of school to get a job and help my mother.

Our first son Vernon Jr. Was born in 1939 in Lexington and then 11 months later our second son
Tyrone was born in Chicago where my wife and I had moved. We lived at 42 w. 35th Street. Seven (7)
years later our only daughter Ellena, now deceased, was born.

My wife worked at Ohmit Manufacturing Co. And I worked for Curl Hair Industries. My wife and I worked
at these jobs raising our two sons and daughter (suppressing my desire to buy a car), saved some
money until God blessed us to buy a two flat building on 63rd and Ellis in the 1950's; where our last
and youngest son Steven was born seven years later.

Before I retired from Curl Hair we had our home built at 92nd and Wabash: my wife was now in the
Real Estate business and we later bought a 4 unit property on 105th and Edbrooke with a grocery
store; this had been a dream deferred.

In semi-retirement I operated the store with my son Tyrone and his wife. I later sold the building to
Tyrone and my retirement was completed.

My three sons , my daughter, my grandchildren, my wife's family, other relatives, church members, and
long time friends were a blessing to me.

Obituary

Message from dad

























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Rosa Sanders