Obituary of Rosalie King

Rosalie King, lovingly known as Nellie, was born on September 23, 1919 in the parish of St. Joseph, Barbados to the parents of Fitzherbert Ross and Maude Smith. At the age of seven, after the death of her mother, she moved to Haggatt Hall in St. Michael, Barbados and resided with her sister Edith for a brief period. Nellie later moved to the home of her eldest sister, Mabel, who raised her into adulthood. Nellie met James Oliver Phillips and in 1938 gave birth to her only son, Michael Ross. In 1951, she immigrated to the United States where she worked as a garment inspector for Porette, Inc. She later met Winthrop Haig King and the couple married in 1958. Nellie and Haig, whom she affectionately referred to as “Dear” were married for over 50 years. Nellie was known for her love of her husband and family, her infectious laughter and her strong spirit. She will forever be remembered in the hearts of her son, Michael, her five grandchildren, Lisa, Trena, Denise, Arlene and Raphael and her six great-grandchildren, Samantha, Alexandra, Ariel, Chloe, Jordan and Gabriella. She is predeceased by her husband, parents and six siblings, Richie, Mabel, Sonny, Sinclair, Edith (Babes) and Beryl. After a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, Nellie passed peacefully into the arms of her savior surrounded by her family and loved ones, just shy of her 95th birthday.