Rosetta White was born Rosetta Pauline Sayers to Mary Jane Sayers Clark on May 4, 1939 in Nicodemus, Kansas. The Sayers family was one of the 5 founding families of Nicodemus- a black pioneer town established by freed slaves after the Civil War.

Rosetta, along with her younger siblings James Sayers, Edwin Matthews, and Mary Alice Ingram, grew up with their maternal grandparents Calvin and Josephine Sayers.

In 1952, the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where Rosetta met Joe White, Sr. Joe was immediately captivated by Rosetta. Rosetta however, was not aware. The two reconnected a few years later, their love grew, and they were married in 1956. Joe and Rosetta welcomed 6 children into their family: Joanne, Joe Jr, Denise, Duane, Jerome, and Shirlene.

The family lived in Dayton for a few years and then moved cross country to Los Angeles, California. After divorcing in 1964, Rosetta & her 6 children continued to live in Los Angeles and eventually settled in San Bernardino, California in 1969. In San Bernardino, Rosetta worked as a Micro Film Operator while she raised her 6 children.

Whenever she could, Rosetta would travel back to Nicodemus for the annual Homecoming Celebration in late July. During one of these trips, Rosetta met Steve Powell. In 1984, the two welcomed their son, Steven Powell, Jr into the world.

During her time in San Bernardino, Rosetta was blessed to be around many of her grandchildren. In fact, she played a large role in caring for & raising many of them.

Always longing to return to life in Kansas and wanting be closer to her aging mother, Rosetta, along with her son Steven & young grandson Joseph White (whom she legally adopted as her own), moved to Stockton, Kansas in 1993. In Kansas, Rosetta worked as a Nursing Assistant while raising the two boys.

As time progressed, Rosetta eventually moved in with Steven and his family, who cared for her needs. In April 2019, Rosetta suffered a massive brain hemorrhage. She fell asleep in death on August 12, 2019 at 80 years old. She was preceded in death by her brother James Sayers (1987), Daughter Joanne Jordan (2013), Son Duane White (2014), Mother Mary Jane Sayers Clark (2014), and ex-husband Joe White Sr. (2007).

Rosetta is survived by her 5 children: Joe White Jr, Denise Perkins, Jerome White, Shirlene Payne, Steven Powell, Jr, adopted son Joseph White; siblings Mary Alice Ingram, Edwin Matthews; 50 Grandchildren; over 60 Great Grandchildren and Great- Great Grandchildren.

Rosetta was always interested in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We look forward to talking with her again once she awakens from death.