Mrs. Rosalie Jones

Rosalie Nelson Jones passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025.  Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Bible-Based Fellowship Church of Temple Terrace, 8718 N. 46th Street, Tampa, FL 33617 with Reverend Dr. Earl Mason, Pastor, Officiating.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Rosalie Nelson Jones was born in Tampa, Florida on November 27, 1938. Shortly after her birth, Rosalie was placed in the loving arms of Reverend Levi and Agnes Nelson and remained in their care, custody, and control until adulthood.

She was baptized at an early age and was affiliated with the Greater St. John Baptist Church, and later at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church and Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church, both organized by her late father, Reverend Levi Nelson.

Rosalie attended local schools in Tampa and graduated from Middleton Senior High School, Class of 1956.  Rosalie, the Belmont Heights girl, met the love of her life, Curtis Jones from West Tampa and they were married on June 4, 1955.  During this union, two daughters were born, Cathleen LaRosa and Curtistine Nadine.

Rosalie was employed by Dr. Louis and Joanne Cimino for several years. The Cimino’s entrusted Rosalie with their children: Louis Jr., Michael, Pat, Cathy, Cecilia, Tom, and Steve as their family. After the children grew older, Rosalie changed her employment and worked for over 20 years at the JCPenney Company located at East Lake Square Mall.

Rosalie, an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneers supporter, rallied behind the team and was actively involved in her community. Her contributions were often recognized and she was honored and received numerous awards for her dedication and service to the city and community as a volunteer for several organizations. 

Some of the organizations where she served included: Unity in the Community, 509 Community Event, National Night Out, Children with a Vision, City of Tampa, NAACP, Neighborhood Watch (Northview Hills Community) and the Supervisor of Elections.

Among the organizations that recognized her volunteerism are: NCNW with the Dr. Mary McCleod Bethune Unsung Hero Award, Hidden Gems (City of Tampa) White with a Touch of Pink, Hidden Gems-Greenway Family Outreach, TPD Ambassador Award, Outstanding Neighborhood Watch Award Northview Hills District 3, and the NCNW Mary McLeod Bethune Exemplary Award -Black History Month.

Rosalie was preceded in death by:  her parents, Reverend Levi and Agnes Nelson; husband of 43 years, Curtis Jones; daughter, Curtistine Jones-Gardner; siblings, Thelma Ivy, LouJean McDaniel Williams and Leon McKay McDaniel; Coretha and McKay McDaniel.

Leaving with many cherished memories among those:  her daughter, Cathy Jones-Arrington (Matt); grandson, Devin E. Smith; son-in-law, William Gardner; bonus grandsons, Matthew Arrington Jr., Antwoine Gardner, Anthony Gardner, Jamal Arrington, and Sherman Tyrell Arrington; Goddaughters, Barbara Davis and Natalie Jones; Godson, Xxavier Chisholm; special niece, Deborah Washington-Washington (Charles); nieces, Rosita Adams, and Portia Bitson (Eric); nephews, Anthony Jerome Adams, Steven Brannon (Thomasina), Gerry Brown (Debbie), Rory McDaniel, and Tony Eaton  (Tabatha); very special friend, Antonia Barber and daughters, and Robert Nelson (Charlotte); her Detroit Family and other relatives and friends; like family, Robert Balkman Sr. and Family, Marcelino and Sylvia Milian, Jeneil Thomas, Doris Jones and Family, Reverend Earl Mason and Family, Mae Burney and Family and the Northview Hills Community.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Rosalie Jones, please visit our floral store.