Rose Marie Smith, affectionately called “Rosie” was the eldest of four children, born on August 4, 1941, to the late Allen and Annise Borden Herring. She was raised in Clairton, PA until life’s journey led her to Pomona, CA in 1986.
Rose Marie was reared in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC.) During her youth and young adult years, she attended Gethsemane Church of God in Christ under the late Bishop Ithiel Clemmons and Rev. Alexander McLean. She would later attend New Gethsemane COGIC in Pomona, California under Dr. Raymond Watts where she served on the Mother’s Board and enjoyed working with the Outreach Committee, serving the homeless alongside her mother, Annise Herring.
In Rose’s professional career, she was an employee of Westinghouse in Pennsylvania and a Senior Companion Caregiver at Oakparc in California.
Her life, however, took a drastic turn. At the urging of her children, she agreed to relocate back to Pennsylvania in 2019. Rose Marie was a “FIGHTER!” Her faith in God allowed her to overcome many obstacles. Rose was promoted from labor to reward Sunday, April 9, 2023, at the age of 81.
Rose met and married the late Raymond Smith in 1958; from this union were born five children. Left to cherish her memories are her three daughters, Andrea “Renee” Smith of Pomona, CA, Regina Clarke (Kevin) of McKeesport, PA, Ramona Bias (Michael) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, her son, Robert Smith of North Versailles, PA and one brother, Wayne Herring of Braddock, Pa; (12) grandchildren; Andreeá Carr, Domonique Prince, Faith Jenkins, Shontee Smith, Monet Smith, DelVaughn Clarke (Laken,) Kevin Clarke, Logan Smith, Jada Bias, Mikela Bias, Michael Jordan-Clarke, Francisco Clarke, (4) great-grandchildren; Isaiah Love, Aaleah Solis, Chiya Hobson, Kamryn Clarke and a host of nieces and nephews.
Proceeding her in death are her parents, Allen and Annise Herring, her husband, Raymond Smith, son, Raymond “Ray Ray” Allen Smith, her sisters, Annetta Johnson and Maxine Robinson, brother-in-law, Floyd Johnson, Toy Robinson, and (3) grandchildren, Ayanna Smith, Avery Clarke and Robert Smith, Jr.
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