Rose Marie Coleman

Life Reflections

Rose was born to Lucinda and Hughie Ellison on September 24, 1944 in Clayton, Missouri Louis County Hospital. She went home to be with the Lord on December 16th, 2023. other, father, sisters, Nellie, Dorothy, Ruth, Bertha, Mary, brothers, Dezzie, Hughie Jr., Harold and Baby Ellison preceded her in death.

Rose attended James Milton Turner Elementary School, Nipher Middle School, and graduate from Kirkwood High School at the age of 16. She continued her education at Lincoln Univers and graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education. While at Lincoln she was on the basketball cheerleading squad. After obtaining this degree she then went to Webster University and graduated in 1973 with a Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching. While attending Lincoln University she met and later married Henri Andre Burton. To this union three children were born.

After graduating from Lincoln she pursued a teaching career. She was hired in 1966 for the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Her first assignment was at Combs Elementary School as a 6th grade teacher, (she also taught 4th grade for one year during her time there). Unique to other teachers, Rose would invite her class over to her house every year for a Christmas Party. Her students would look forward to this every year. She was employed at Combs from 1966-1984 and then immediately began a teaching position at Cross Keys Middle School teaching 7th grade math. Rose retired in 2003 but since she had a strong passion to teach she became a substitute teacher for Cross Keys. She continued substituting until her health began to fail in 2018.

Aside from teaching another passion was her love for music. Rose began playing the piano for Kinloch Church of God around 1960. She then went on to play the organ. She absolutely loved and was devoted to her church and wanted to be more involved. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years teaching 8 & 9 year olds, She directed all of the Easter and Christmas programs along with her sister Patricia. One thing for sure, she made sure that the children, and sometimes even the adults, mastered their recitations. She was strongly against reading from the paper. Her final passion was directing the weekend retreats at Camp Sharon in Branson, Missouri. These trips were done every year in August. We all looked forward to the talent show, the famous softball game, the bonfire roasting marshmallows, nightly hikes through the woods, and the water balloons toss that she would put together while there.

Rose had a sense of humor much like Carol Burnett. Whenever she was around you knew that she would say or do something to make you laugh. She loved to relax at home watching her favorite shows. Just to name a few, Andy Griffin, Matlock, Columbo, Wheel of Fortune, and Little House on the Prairie. She enjoyed working word searches and crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed the many family gatherings she hosted at her house. Everyone would look forward to the fish fries and swim parties. Rose also loved to travel. The extended family and sometimes just her immediate family took many trips together. Her ultimate hobby was fishing.

She loved and adored her grandchildren. They all had their own special relationship with their grandma. She cherished her time with them but the most special time they shared was Christmas Eve. The grandchildren spent the night at her house. This was tradition every year. They looked forward to roasting marshmallows with Hershey's in the fireplace.

Rose leaves to cherish her memory: her three children, Brian (Vanessa), Holli and Melani; one sister, Patricia (Robert); four grandchildren, Quintin, Pfalin, Romel and Romon; godson, Jeremy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.