Rosella Mae Littleton

rosella littleton
Rosella Mae Littleton, Rose as she was called by her friends, was born on March 18, 1926, in the small West Virginia town of Wheeling along the banks of the Ohio River. Rosella gently passed away on Dec. 19th, 2020 at her home in New Braunfels, TX. Rosella Mae was the second eldest of 5 children to her parents of Clarence W. Lanum and Rosella Lanum of Wheeling, W.V. Upon leaving Wheeling at an early age, Rosella lived for several years in the Pittsburg, PA area. Rosella, at the age of 16 years, moved to Stockton CA. While there while working at a drug store diner, she met her husband, William (Bill) I. Littleton of Los Angeles, CA shortly after WWII. Her husband Bill, had served in the Navy for 7 1/2 years aboard several warships in the South Pacific theater during the war as a Gunners Mate 1st Class. Once married, they settled in Los Angeles, CA where she and her husband spent the majority of the married life together. Rosella was a spirited woman who exhibited a love of life and a sense of adventure. Always a hard worker and high achiever, she worked multiple jobs in her working career as an electronic assembly line worker, inspector, and lead technician. She spent many years working in California’s booming aerospace industry in the 1960s and 1970s. Later she established a leather accessory business that sold many different leather goods to retail shops, conventions, and flea markets. Additionally, Rosella also became an ordained minister in the Assembly of God Church and provided her sermons in the Los Angeles area until she moved with her husband upon his retirement to Chino Valley, AZ. While living there, Rose continued with her ministry with the Church until her retirement around the late 1990s. Rosella was and remains a committed Christian and her beliefs in God and His Son Jesus Christ never faltered and she remained committed to Jesus Our Lord to her last breath. Everyone that had the honor of knowing her knows that she is with our God in Heaven now. In addition to being a devoted wife to Bill, she was also a loving and caring mother of her two children. Her son William (Bill) F. Littleton and her daughter, Kathleen (Kathie) Rose (Littleton) Walser. Bill resides in New Braunfels with his wife Kacy Littleton; and Kathleen, along with her husband Forrest, reside in SnowFlake, AZ. Rose also had 4 Grandchildren: Shannon Walser, Matthew Walser and his wife Lauren Walser, Nicole Knavel and her husband Steve and Jacqueline Polovina with her husband Chris Polovina. Additionally, she had 6 great-grandchildren: Kelsi, Christian, Madison, Benjamin, Asher, and Fletcher. Reflecting back on our Mother’s great life, though it was not without hardships, everyone who knew her felt the gift of her presence. Her warmth, her gentle smile, her compassion, and her honest desire to help others and not expect anything in return. Truly a giving person and never a complaint! If I were, to sum up, her life I would recommend anyone to read Shel Silverstein’s book, “The Giving Tree!” In my experience as a son, and witnessing first hand how this beautiful woman lived her life, that short story sums up her life along with her devotion to God and family! God Bless You, Mother, Always………….. Your Family

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  1. My mom, there is so much to say I don’t even know where to start. She was preacher, teacher, mentor, friend and hero! She loved her Lord and wanted to do so much for him.! She loved telling people about Jesus and her eyes would light up when she told people what he did for her! Whenever there was a need, she was always there to answer the call. She absolutely loved giving. It didn’t matter if it was her time, money, food…. whatever she could give she would give. One of her favorite things to do was to give what she called “Love Gifts” to people. Many may not know this but my mom was a licensed minister. As a child she went to catholic school, though she was never catholic. I used to tease her and told her I had my very own Reverend Mother! Besides the Lord, her family meant everything to her. She loved being “Grammy” not only to her grand kids but to those she would babysit. She was even Grammy to friends of my children. She pretty much became known as Grammy even to friends of ours. Though my mom did not have a glamorous life by any means, growing up dirt poor in the hills of West Virginia and living through the Great Depression, she loved to tell the stories of how her and her brother Chuck would hop aboard the trains and ride the rails and would be gone for days at a time.Then they would wander back home all the while no one would even notice they were gone. (She had several brothers and sisters). While I felt that was horrible that no one noticed, she thought it was funny and just simply said, “it was two less mouths to feed at the time”. But oh how she loved to talk about her adventures with Chuck! Many times we asked her to write a book but unfortunately she never did. Mom was also kind of a Jack of all trades. Growing up she worked as a waitress for many years. After meeting and marrying my dad she did different jobs, I don’t know if I should share this but at one point she was even a bookie! 🤣 Later on she worked in electronics. When I was growing up she worked for Aerojet General and even had a small part working on one of the Apollo Spaceships, something she was very proud of. She even managed the hair Salon I owned. I can’t think of anyone who had an unkind thing to say about my mom. To those who knew her well, you know she had a crazy sense of humor. We spent many a time laughing and joking about that. My mom was a very kind and gentle person, but she was also a force to be reckoned with if pushed that far. Many never saw that side of her… whew! 😂 Oh mom the adventures that you and I had! I loved how you and I would take off for the weekends and drive all around Arizona exploring new things! We had such good times! You were my best friend!! ❤️ You were always there for me. Through thick and thin, good times and bad…you loved me through it all! Though my heart is breaking I know you are happy. I know without a doubt that the Lord said to you “ well done my good and faithful servant” because that, you truly were! I can’t seem to stop crying but I know that the Lord is bottling up these tears. Maybe to show you how much you are missed. Mom you were the best! You were not only my best friend but my hero… mom… you really were the wind beneath my wings….! Though my heart is broken now, my love followed you to heaven. Until the day I get to see you again, I will never stop missing you! Your beautiful smile, your beautiful face or hearing your voice. I love you Momma-Lou! I will always love you! Thank you for being the best mom anyone could ever ask for! ❤️❤️

  2. Kat, Bill and Family: Know that our family is praying for you and the tree being planted in her memory is a symbol of deep rooted strength/new life.

  3. I had the honor of knowing Rose for almost five years! During this time we got to know each other quite well!.We shared many a breakfast lunch and dinner together and it was always a tremendous adventure. Will she or won’t she finish what she ordered ? It was usually the ladder. Rose loved life people and the lord! Her stories about her life captivated me and to hear her talk about her family was to see her at her happiest. The lord gained an angel the day she passed and all who knew her are left with very fond memories and a love for a wonderful woman who I was lucky enough to meet and get to know along with her incredible family.I know she now resides in heaven taking great pleasure in watching over all of us who knew and loved her! Enjoy your new adventure Rose, I for one take great comfort in knowing you will still be looking out for all of us who loved you❤️❤️❤️ Miss you very much, Richard Saks

  4. Mammie Rose is such a special soul. Her love for her children and grandchildren was indescribable. I did not get the pleasure of knowing Rose for very long, but I sure do cherish the memories I have. I am so blessed to feel her love everyday as I wear Rose’s wedding ring on my hand now. Matthew proposed to me with such a special gift that I will forever carry with poise and love. Mammie you are such a inspiration to us all. We all need to live a little more like you did. Thank you for helping raise my wonderful husband, your Bud. Now that you have gone home, I will take your place of taking care of him. I promised you on your last day that he was in good hands, and I will never break that. We love you so much and know you’re in such a better place now. We will see you soon. So much love from your Bud and whats her name ❤

  5. Dear Bill and Family, Dudley & I are honored to plant a memorial tree in honor of your beautiful Mom. We Love You! We are thinking of You!

  6. Dear Aunt Rose We will never forget your sweet smile and gentle, calming demeanor. You are an inspiration to our entire family. Will love you always.

  7. In loving memory of our “Mama Rose”. We loved her deeply and she will remain in our hearts forever. With our most sincere condolences

  8. In loving memory of Rose. We are thinking of you. Sent with our deepest condolences. Love your cousins Linda, Elliott and Matthew Jones

  9. Rose was truly a blessing in our lives. She took care of Anicka and Quinton when they were babies and toddlers. They referred to Rose as Mamie affectionately and recall that she was the best Mamie who took care of them. Rose was not just a friend but family. She will be missed. The Flores Family Janet, Anicka & Quinton

  10. Kathie, Forrest, Shannon , Matthew and Lauren we are thinking of you in this difficult time. I pray God gives you comfort, love, and grace.

  11. Rose was always the first one up having a cup of coffee and reading her Bible. She was an inspiration to us all that the best way to start your day was with God’s Word. She will definitely be missed but I know she is rejoicing with our Lord Jesus and that puts a joy in my heart.

  12. My beautiful and sweet mother-in-law. You were always more like a real mother to me and not simply a mother-in- law. After my own mother passed you become the only mother I had left in this world and that meant more to me than anyone will ever know. God didn’t just bless me with a wonderful mother. He blessed me with two of them. I was definitely one of the lucky ones. Not everyone can be as close to their mother-in-law as I was to you. You will always be sorely missed mom. But I will try and not be selfish. I know you are with Jesus now and having the time of your life. Even though I am missing you now I am very happy for you and I am anxious for the day that I will see you again in heaven. Love you mom. You will ALWAYS be on my heart.


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