Rosa M. Blackwell was born on April 8, 1929 in McBee, South Carolina to the late Cohen Holmes and Icey Rebecca Blackwell. She departed this life on Friday, November 13, 2020.

In 1949, Rosa moved to Mizpah, NJ. She worked at Andrew Glass for many years. Rosa joined St. John A.M.E. Zion Church in Mizpah, NJ where she served faithfully on the Trustee Board, the Senior Choir and the Missionary Board for many years. She also served as the delegate for the A.M.E. Zion Camden District annual conference for many years. She loved her church family. She always baked her "Sock it to me cake!"

Rosa loved to travel. She was lovingly called one of the "Black Traveling Golden Girls."

She leaves to cherish her memory, nine grandchildren; Romona Blackwell of Vineland, NJ, Jamaica Burnett – George (Andre) of Roanoke, VA, Jasmine Burnett and Crystal Burnett also of Roanoke, VA, Rosa Burnett of Miami, FL, Icey Sharese Murphy of Galloway, NJ, Dawn Dudley of Hammonton, NJ, Michael Cru Murphy (Nicole) of Philadelphia, PA, and Lonnie Murphy, Jr. (Christine) of N. Miami, FL, one daughter -in-law, Deborah Burnett of Roanoke, VA, one goddaughter Kendra Newman -Nelson (Mike) of Mizpah, NJ, one honorary son Alfred B. Lundy (Derla) of Vineland, NJ, two nieces Margaret Ferguson of Mayslanding, NJ, Edna Mallory of Richland, NJ, one nephew Vander McFarland of Trenton, NJ and a host of grand and great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was predeceased by both her sons Lonnie Murphy Sr., and Kenneth Burnett, one grandson Terrence Davis.