Rosalind Morris

A time to be born…

God chose November 2, 1937, as the day that Rosalind Morris would make her entry into the world. She was the fourth of six children born to Audrey Samuels and she was the feisty one. Rosalind was born and raised in the city of Harlem and was educated in the public school system. She received her college degree from City College and obtained her master’s degree as well. From a young age, Rosalind was curious, loved to learn and explore, and was full of questions. Early on she demonstrated that she was a leader. In her teens, Rosalind formed a group known as Les Violets which consisted of her friends in the neighborhood. This name came about because Rosalind loved the French language. This “girls club” played jacks, jumped rope, and enjoyed many activities together while sharing the bond of friendship. Rosalind had a voice and sought to be heard as well as to understand. She was a defender and protector of her family and friends and stood ready to “go to war” for those she loved.

A time to live…

Rosalind viewed the world as her oyster and believed that she could achieve anything and go anywhere in life. When presented with limits, she seized opportunities that would silence her doubters and allow her to make her mark in the world. Rosalind was uninhibited by people who were different from her and embraced the diversity of the people, the cultures, and the world around her. She had the uncanny ability to initiate conversations with any stranger, listen to them, and make them feel that what they had to say was important. Rosalind was a world traveler and some of her destination venues included Spain, Mallorca, Mexico, Budapest, Vienna, and Hong Kong. She used these many experiences to broaden her life view, meet new people, and make new friends.

A time to love…

In the late eighties, she married her love in the person of Frank Morris at the New York Cultural Center in Manhattan, New York. Frank and Roz loved the Lord, they loved each other dearly, and they loved people. Together they built a beautiful life and what a love story they wrote!

A time to give…

Anyone who knew Rosalind could attest to the fact that she was a giver. Rosalind always sought opportunities to help and to share what she had. She continually gave of herself and of her resources. In the words of her longtime friend, Barbara, “Roz was a beautiful human being and a beautiful soul. She had a generous spirit to a fault.” Rosalind taught Math in the New York Public School System and at Hunter College in New York City. While living in Spain, she taught private English classes. Being an advocate of education, she consistently and patiently poured her heart into teaching her students imparting to them what they needed to be academically successful. The many lives God used her to impact are too numerous to count.

Rosalind, without a doubt, believed that when you give, God would take care of you. Whether she was giving advice or encouraging someone to keep trusting God, whether she was teaching children or blessing them with computers or books, or whether she was giving to a coworker who was facing a financial crisis, Rosalind always found ways to be a blessing to others. And because of her generosity toward and care of so many, she was able to say like David “I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” God continued to bless and take care of her until her transition.

He that wins souls is wise…

While, we may have many earthly accomplishments, it is what we do for eternity that truly counts. The song says, “Only what you do for Christ will last…Only what you do for Christ will last…Only what you do for Him will be counted in the end…Only what you do for Christ will last.” To her credit, Rosalind had many earthly achievements, but she understood that these did not matter as much as the purpose to which God had called her. That purpose was to win souls to Christ. Having accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and as her Lord, Rosalind experienced the transforming power of God in her life. It was her love for people and her desire for them to know Christ that drove her to become a passionate soul winner. Rosalind used her encounters with people to find out if they had a relationship with Jesus Christ. Whenever someone she witnessed to indicated that they wanted to receive Christ into their heart and life, Rosalind was prepared to pray with them and joyfully welcome them into the family of God. One of the many people, she passionately witnessed to about Jesus was her late husband, Frank. It was because of her persistence, her testimony, and prayers, that Frank eventually gave his life to Christ. He was one of many people with whom Rosalind shared the gospel.

 A time to die…

During the latter years of her life, Rosalind encountered some health challenges but faced them head on. She believed that God would never leave her and that he would heal her. God did that on several occasions. When the doctors said no, God said yes. Rosalind bounced back many times and was able to testify of God’s healing and resurrecting power in her body. In the latter months of her life, she became a resident of her beautiful group home where she was loved, cared for, and received with open arms. In the short time that she lived there, Rosalind’s presence made a statement. Her witty remarks, feistiness, honesty, side eyes, laughter, prayers, and conversations with the staff left an indelible mark which will not soon be forgotten. One of her caregivers, Mrs. Stephanie, says this, “Our Lord created only one Ms. Roz! That’s our jazzy name for her. Thank you Ms. Roz for being a shining example of Jesus Christ. Your desire to minister to others surpassed our comprehension. You will always live in glory and in our hearts.” After her last release from the hospital, Rosalind came back to her home with a praise on her lips thanking God for being alive. Rosalind was happy, at peace, and prepared to meet her Creator. On June 1^st in the early morning hours, God welcomed her into his arms and Rosalind transitioned peacefully.

Rosalind is predeceased in death by her husband Frank; four siblings: Peggy, Lenore, Charles, and Kenneth. She leaves to mourn her youngest sister, Jane; her sister-in-law, Pearl; her cousins, Rita, and Jane; a host of nephews and nieces; two godchildren; her dear friends Patricia, Barbara (Doug), Audrey, Mona (Juan); her church family Dabar Christian Center; and her family at Your4Ever Home.

Today, Rosalind would say, “Do not mourn for me because I was ready to meet my Savior. I am in His arms.” We can celebrate her life because Rosalind is with her Lord!