Rosemary Johnson was born to Eddie and Olive Blanche Johnson in Brooklyn, New York. January 10, 1963- the youngest of four children. Both parents preceded her in death.
Rosemary was educated in Ouachita Parish, graduating from Richwood High School in the illustrious class of 1980. Rosemary was a gifted student and talented alto saxophone player. Rosemary was her daddy’s girl but decided to emulate her mom and followed her into the nursing field. She continued her education at Delta Vocational School earning a degree in nursing and practiced as an LPN. She accepted her calling into the family of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Rosemary married her high school sweetheart, Elliott Burrell, and to this union 3 incredible children were born. She began a career at Abbott Industries as a plant operator in Austin, Texas. Rosemary later returned to Monroe to work in healthcare at E. A. Conway Hospital. She met and married Donald Gibbons and remained a faithful and devoted wife throughout sickness and health until departed by death.
Rosemary enjoyed shopping, dancing, decorating, dining out, and traveling throughout the country and was well known for traveling far and near to family gatherings. After retirement, she was fortunate enough to relocate and enjoy life in Virginia Beach, Va; Jackson, Mississippi; and Baton Rouge, La for appointed seasons to spend time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends.
Rosemary transitioned from a life of labor to a peaceful reward on July 13, 2021, at Our Lady of the Lakes Hospital in Baton Rouge, La. Donald Gibbons will forever cherish Rosemary’s life as a devoted Wife. Samantha Jenkins (LeRoyce), Tiffany DeTiege (Frank III), and Elliott Burrell, Jr (Odell) will eternally cherish Rosemary’s life as a loving and amazing Mother. Jade Cherelle, Justen, Jaylon-Rose, Arryanna Denise, Elliott III, CamRon, Elyce-Alana, Amelia-Rose, and Frank IV will forever cherish Rosemary as a beloved Grandmother fondly known as “YaYa, Nana, and Mimi”. AND the Loves of Her Life-Chloe and Cade-will always carry the hopes and dreams of their Great Grandmother throughout generations.
Stepchildren Donald Gibbons Jr., Alexis Sturgis, and Dawn Gibbons. Eddie Johnson, Jr. (Debbie), TaWana Gray (Dexter), and Constance Johnson will treasure childhood and sibling memories of Rosemary as a bold and daring Sister, fondly called their “Baby Girl”. Alvin Marie Johnson will cherish memories of Rosemary as a wonderful niece who shared childhood laughter with cousins Margret, Albert Jr (Jenny), and Valery Smith (Johnny). Debra Moore, Willie Gibbons (Joselyn), Charles Gibbons (Debra), Archie Gibbons (Anna), Melvin Gibbons (Barbara), JoAnn Morgan (Elliott), Cynthia Presley (Harry), Felicia Wesley, Angela Phillips (Foster), and Rev. Aubrey Moore (Patricia) will forever cherish Rosemary as a dear Sister-in-Love. All who knew her, far and near, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors will be eternally blessed by Rosemary’s presence in their lives.
Her life will be memorialized on Saturday, July 27, 2021, at 10:00 AM at The Monroe Downtown Riverwalk. Repast to follow at St. Joseph MBC in West Monroe, La.
