Mother Rosalie Buchanan

Mrs. Rosalie Buchanan our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend made her transition on Saturday, August 28, 2010. Sister Buchanan was born April 13, 1930 in Blytheville, AR to Katie Williams and Colet Parker. Mrs. Buchanan confessed Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized as a child. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School and attended Lake Michigan Jr. College. As a young adult Sister Rosie attended Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Benton Harbor, MI, and was a member of the choir. It was during this time that she met Sister Jessie Watson and under her leadership and guidance began to direct the choir. Sister Buchanan was also affiliated with New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Benton Harbor, MI. She was the director of the Young Adult Choir for many years. She sang solos in many churches and throughout the community. Her play "All The Way From Heaven Down," played in Benton Harbor, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Under the leadership and direction of Sister Buchanan the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Choir competed for about five years in the State of Michigan Choir Contest. They held the title of best choir in Michigan three times. As a result of this fellowship she met many people who became her very good friends. Sister Rosalie became known as the Minister of Music. Other church affiliations were Second Missionary Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, MI and First Salem Missionary Baptist in Battle Creek, MI. In the mid-eighties she became a member of Galilee Baptist Church and Inspirational Choir. She was the director of the Gospel Choir and later became a director of the Inspirational Choir. In 1993, Sister Buchanan was asked by Pastor Felton if she would re-organize the Hospitality Committee which is now known as the Hospitality Ministry. She was elected president and served in that capacity until 1996, at the time she became an advisor to the group. She was affiliated with the Christian Women's Support Ministry and our Senior Citizen's Ministry. Mrs. Buchanan helped in the kitchen and with Church Conventions. She spearheaded the 1996 Church Pictorial Directory and was the editor of the Galilean Monthly Newsletter. She was employed at the Health Department and Tri Cap Action Agency in Benton Harbor, MI. In Kalamazoo, she worked in the Mental Health field and as a Manager at the Salvation Army until her retirement. In 1996, Sister Buchanan came out of retirement and began to work at the Resolution Center and later became the assistant to the Director for the Eastside Association. She was a volunteer at the Deacon's Conference, the eastside Kids Cafe', a Coordinator for the National Night Out and the Back to School Bash for the eastside of Kalamazoo. In 1999, Mrs Buchanan received the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Distinguished Senior Citizen Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sister Buchanan was predeceased by her parents, Katie Williams and Colet Parker, a sister, Lillie Mae Lamon, and the love of her life, James Adell. Mrs. Buchanan leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life, her beloved daughter and her husband: Regina and Larry Davis; a sister, Dorothy Holmes; and a brother, Thomas Parker;an aunt, Johnnie Parker; grandchildren, Nikkita (Darrell) Williams of Mansfield, TX, Jonathan McBride of Kalamazoo, MI, Otis McBride and Willie Grant Davis both of Chicago, IL, Lakesha Davis and Jermaine Davis both of Kalamazoo, MI; many great-grandchildren; special cousins: Katie Williams of Battle Creek, MI, Doris (Jimmie) Howard of Benton Harbor, MI, Carolyn Williams and Curtis Williams both of Detroit, MI, Ronald Williams and Anthony (Shirley) Richardson all of Benton Harbor, MI, Renee' (Anthony) Davis of Grand Rapids, MI, Jacqueline Williams of Benton Harbor, MI, W.C. (Audrey) Williams in South Bend, IN, Flora Wilson of Chicago, IL; several nieces, nephews, and friends including special friends, Katherine Bady, Mary Porter, Margaret Smith, Ollie Mae Wright, Joyce Bragg of Kalamazoo, Betty Givens of Tucsan, AZ; and friend and caregiver, Lois Bradshaw. Mrs. Rosalie Buchanan touched many lives with her gracious hospitality, strength, love, concern and giving spirit. She always extended a generous hand of care to fit numerous gloves of need. She will be deeply missed, but never ever forgotten.

Mother Rosalie Buchanan

April 13, 1930 - August 28, 2010