Obituary of Rosetta Sanders

Rosetta Sanders passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Rose Arbor Hospice. She was born July 1, 1946, the daughter of Robert Johnson and Cora Mae Stokes. 

Rosetta attended Benton Harbor Public Schools, and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1964. She received her Associates Degree from Kellogg Community College and worked for the State of Michigan from which she retired from after 30 years of service. She was a faithful and active member of First Pentecostal Church in Battle Creek. 

Rosetta was a very active pillar of the community in which she lived. She was involved in more than a dozen local charities, activism groups, and political parties, including the Washington Heights Community House, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Battle Creek Weed and Seed, Battle Creek Committee on Community Affairs, Boys and Girls Club, One United Michigan and North Central Neighborhoods Planning Council No 2. She also served as the black caucus chairperson of the Calhoun County Democrats. 

Rosetta adored her daughter and grandchildren and loved spending quality time with them. She also enjoyed shopping, watching collectible antique shows, bible study and being a member of the Battle Creek Housing Committee. 

Rosetta is survived by her daughter Akilah (Brian) Artis-Burton, four grandchildren; Zyair, Zaylen, Zayviere and Zyone'; Godchildren, Shannon Williams­ Murray, Dellise Wilson-Cox, Le'Ron Bridges, Demetrius Ellis, Nona Marie Johnson­ Barnett and John "Jay Jay" Russell, brother; Robert Kennedy Johnson; Stepsisters, NancyJonesand Esser Edwards, and stepbrother Mac Jones; Special friends, Janet Wilson, and Maxine Frazier; Niece; Anna Brown; Nephews; Jeffery Brown and Carl Brown, as well as other loving family and friends. She was such a loving and outspoken person that will be greatly missed. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; Robert Johnson and Cora Mae Stokes, sister; Ollie Mae Brown, stepbrother; Elbert Jones and nephew Tony Brown.