Enloe Mortuary | Shelby, NC

Obituary For Rosa Byers

Ms. Rosa K. Byers departed from this life to be with her Lord and Savior on January 10, 2020. She was born in Greensboro, NC on October 18, 1934, to the late Roy Lee and Mildred Inez Frost Keith. She was the second to the oldest of their four children and she was raised in Salisbury, NC.

While attending JC Price High School, she received her education and was a majorette for the school marching band. During this period of her life, she also received a very prestigious and honorable title when she was voted and crowned as Home Coming Queen. As a graduate and Athletic Hall of Fame Recipient (inducted in 2009 for her outstanding performance in basketball) of JC Price High School, she furthered her education by attending Barber Scotia College. She decided to transfer to A&T State University in Greensboro, NC and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education / Physical Education.

Mother started her teaching career as well as becoming a basketball coach in Portsmouth, VA and Warrenton, VA. Upon relocating to NC, she taught in the cities of Troy, and Forest City. After teaching in these various cities, she became a resident of Cleveland County in 1968 and began teaching fifth grade over a span of eighteen years at Waco and Washington Elementary Schools. Later, she was assigned to teach physical education at Township Number 3 Elementary School and taught there until retiring in 2003. She valued education and expressed it everywhere she went. Mother was a caring and devoted teacher that mentored a lot of her students. She taught them, they can do anything if they set their minds to do and trust God to do it. Between teaching in the states of Virginia and North Carolina, her career spanned over 43 years of teaching.

Mother was a member and held a position as a secretary of the first Afro-American Teachers Credit Union in Cleveland County. Mother was a devoted member of Ryburn United Presbyterian Church in Shelby, where she served on the Session Board Committee, Choir Member, and Women’s Association. She formed the Adult High School Education Program at Ryburn where she collaborated with Cleveland Community College, so the adults would be able to earn their GED which was a very successful program. Later, in her life she decided to go back to her "Baptist" roots and moved her membership to Hoppers Chapel Baptist Church.

Mother was a caring and loving woman of God who not only cared for her own children, but opened up her heart to others. She was a very strong disciplinarian, which other teachers would often get her advice or bring their students to her to be disciplined. She taught us to treat others the way we wanted to be treated, be honest, caring and loving. She always would say “live your life because tomorrow isn’t promised”. Mother always kept it REAL no matter if it hurt your feelings or not.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Sims Wiley Saunders, Jr of Tyler, TX, William Lee Keith of Charlotte, NC and Roy Lee Keith, Jr. of Greensboro, NC; son-in-law, William E. McDonald, II of Shelby, NC; sister-in-law, Phyllis Keith of Greensboro, NC and her longtime friend, Mae Wright Nivens. She leaves to cherish her memory, five children, Denise D. McDonald of Shelby, NC; John W. S. Byers, III also of Shelby, Juan F. M. Byers of Kings Mountain, NC, Vesta L. Byers of Atlanta, GA and Zeni R. Byers-Corry (Stephan) of Gastonia, NC; nine grandchildren, Chiquana Burston, Amy McKenna, Jan’ET McDonald-Watley (Brandon), Rosa McDonald, Keyana March, Ruthie McDonald-Hall (Deitrick), Zantavius Hopper (fiancée, Shawnta), Billy McDonald, III and Gabrile Williams; 17 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 1:30 PM at Family Worship Center Church of God in Kings Mountain, NC. Burial will take place at Webb Memorial Lawns. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 1:30 PM on Saturday.

Guest Book

To the family of the extraordinary loving Rosa Byers you have my deepest condolences and prayers!Rosa showed so much love to everybody and my children were so fond of her at Township Three Elementary School years ago!Rosa was a remarkable Christian woman who loved the Lord! She will be truly and deeply missed with loving memories to last forever!The angels are awaiting the arrival of precious Rosa with their arms stretched out and opened up real wide to welcome her home into the pearly gates of heaven!God please comfort the family during this difficult time of sorrow! Sincerely, Miss. Linda Larisa ReeCee Toms

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Vesta & Byers family, We are so sorry & wanted to let you know y'all are in our thoughts and prayers,God Bless. Norman & Gina Terrell

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To Denise, I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I didn’t know her but I read that she was a vital part of Cleveland County. My condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. May God provide you strength, peace and comfort. You was always so nice when my son (Demarius Hopper) passed away. Thank you for your kindness! Deborah Hopper

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A Pillar of the State.... I’m so Elated that This Powerful Woman Touched My Life.... Just want to Thank The Family for sharing Her with the World all these years.... It was a different time those Waco Years.. She was more than just a Teacher..... I Prayer Comfort and Peace be with you all during this time... Jerry L. Hopper

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So saddened to hear about your mom's passing. We were teacher friends for many years and I loved her dearly. She would keep me in stitches with her humor and telling people like it was. Rosa will truly be missed by many. Many blessings to her beloved family. Debbie Ray Costner

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To Zeni and the entire Byers family, we offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to you all in the loss of your beautiful and loving mother. I will always remember her energy and her loving way of telling you just what she thought. Lifting you all up in prayer...sending love, hugs and prayers. Morris & Sandy Love Watson

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Thoughts and prays for the Keith,Byers family & Chuckie Banner

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Denise, Juan, John, Vesta & Zena; We are so sorry to learn of the loss of your Mother. You have been and will remain in our thoughts and prayers. With Love, Kaye, Tripp, Cheryl & John Barrow

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So much love to the family- Stef C

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My deepest sympathy and condolences for the family. She left us with great memories from Waco and Washington Schools. Continued prayers for the family.

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Vesta Linda & I are sending our love and prayers

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Thoughts and prayers for your family Vesta. Your work family loves you. Kale H

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Thoughts and Prayers for the Byers family, I am so sorry for your loss.

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So sorry to hear of your loss, will keep the family lifted up in prayer.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Enloe Mortuary