Forever In Our Hearts...The Life of Elder Rosa Kee-Epps, 89

A private viewing for the immediate family Friday, May 24, 2024 at 2:30 PM followed by a public viewing from 3 to 6 PM at the funeral parlor.

Elder Epps remains will lie in state at New Covenant Church of Deliverance Outreach Ministries, 2947 Old Battleboro Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27801,at 11:00 AM until the time of the funeral.

Funeral Services:  Saturday, May 25, 2024, 1:00 PM, New Covenant Church of Deliverance Outreach Ministries, 2947 Old Battleboro Road, Rocky Mount, NC where  Apostle Jesonya Whitfield is Pastor,  Elder Willie Tillery delivering the eulogy. Elder Doshia Kee serving as the Pulpit Conductor.

Burial:  Rising Sun Holiness Church, 1185 Chapsman Ford Road, Emporia,. VA

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at about 4:50 PM, in UNC-Nash Community Hospital, Rocky Mount, NC, the Lord whispered "Peace Be Still" for Elder Rosa Kee-Epps, 89. She was a native of Northampton County but made Rocky Mount, NC her home.

Elder Rosa was the wife of the late Bishop Arthur Epps. She was born the daughter to the late Ulysses G. and Jannie Harrison Kee in Northampton County, NC on July 15, 1935.

Rosa Enoch Kee-Epps attended Gumberry High School from 1955 to 1959. She moved out of North Carolina to pursue employment, living with her siblings Maggie and Tom Kee. Tom Kee helped her obtain a job in NYC, where she started working in a factory that made fur coats. She also worked as a teaching assistant from 1975 to 1986 and as a culinary assistant (also known as the head cook) at the Paterson Ecumenical Preschool (PEP) from 1986 to 1987 before she married Bishop Arthur Epps and moved to New Jersey, a few years later.

She also served as a Supervisor from 1987 to 1988, managing all the capable staff members who made the meals for the children.  All competent service staff make meals for preschool-aged children, who range in age from 2-1/2 to 5. She was responsible for ensuring that each employee completed the required number of approved courses in order to function in the field of food handling and for checking that each workspace is clean, keeping in mind the significance of a balanced diet. She promised to make sure that every meal is properly prepared, balanced, and given to every child since she believes that these are important formative years for them.

Bishop Arthur Epps and Rosa Epps constructed churches from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and North Carolina while they were young. Rosa became the assistant pastor of Arthur Epps' congregations after he was appointed bishop. Bishop Arthur Epps passed away after 57 years as a partner, leaving Rosa Epps to serve as her pastor for the remainder of her life. Her life was meaningful. Her purity and sweetness left a lasting impression on everyone she came into contact with. She will be honored and remembered rather than forgotten.

She is preceded in death by her siblings:  four sisters:  Dorothy Bynum, Barbara Kee, Elder Josephine Kee Easter and Caroline Kee, five brothers:  Thomas Kee, Ulysses C. Kee, Romie Kee, Isiah Kee, Cal Kee and one uncle:  Walter Harrison.

Those left to honor and cherish her memories are: one daughter:  Josephine K. Holmes and husband Joe of Garysburg, NC, a son:  Arthur Lee Epps, II of Rocky Mount, NC; two grandsons:  Arthur Lee Epps, III and Brian Troy Epps both of New Jersey; one grand-daughter:  Sephora Leary of Florida; one sister:  Maggie Banks of Garysburg, NC, one brother:  Bishop New Jenes Kee, Sr., and wife Elder Doshia of Garysburg, NC; a faithful and loyal friend:  Mamie Smith of Rocky Mount, NC; many, many nieces, nephews and a host of church family, relatives and friends.

Those left to honor and cherish her memories are:  one daughter:  Josephine K. Holmes and husband Joe of Garysburg, NC and a son:  Deacon Arthur Epps, II of Rocky Mount, NC;

Elder Epps rests in the comfort of Coleman-McGee Funeral Home & Staff...Thoughtful Professional Services Within The Means Of All...Because WE Care...