We thank God for the remarkable life of our beloved, Rosalyn James, who transitioned to her heavenly home at 71 years of age, on March 5, 2024.
Rosalyn James, affectionately known as “Roz” was born on December 15, 1951 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Rosia and Harrison L. James. She attended Lincoln Avenue ElementarySchool in East Orange, New Jersey where she met one of her best friends, Theresa Edwards. As a teenager, Rosalyn moved to Roselle, New Jersey and graduated from Abraham Clark High School. Rosalyn graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey with her Bachelor’s degree.
After graduation, Rosalyn had an opportunity to work for United Airlines, which gave her the benefit to travel around the world. Roz started her career at FedEx in November of 1982. She worked in Somerset, NJ at the Call Center before transferring to the New York office as a Senior Service Agent. Years later, Roz acquired a position at Newark Liberty Airport in the International Department where she touched the hearts of many and was loved by all who knew her.
Roz created a family atmosphere in every environment she entered. Every relationship was important and valuable to her.She became sister, aunt, friend, mentor and confidant to the many individuals she worked with. Every year Roz kept a large FedEx calendar by her desk where she would write in everyone’s name under their birth date or anniversary, so she could give them a card or a bottle of wine to let them know she was thinking of them. She also loved the children of her FedEx family. Roz was very supportive and encouraging to all of the kids that she watched and assisted to blossom into compassionate adults. After 38 years of service, she retired on November 9th, 2020.
As a lifelong learner, Rosalyn was an avid reader and lover of the arts. She loved to relax and spend her leisure time reading books. She relished in theatre, concert events, comedy and live performances. Rosalyn was also an enthusiastic devotee of sports. She enjoyed going to professional games as well as watching at home. Rosalyn was a giving person, she always made it her business to show her appreciation to others. She was known for her high expectations and family values, she never thought twice about correcting you, she wanted the best for her family and friends. Rosalyn loved spending time with her Aunt Bernice and all of her cousins.
Most importantly, Roz was family-oriented. She looked forward to family events, and opportunities to be among family and friends. Rosalyn loved to laugh, talk, and spend time with heroldest first cousin, Gerri Hawkins, who she grew up with like a sister. She also loved to spend time with her besties Theresa,Roz, and Kitty. Their bond as life-long sister friends was dear to her heart. Rosalyn honored her commitment to her role of Godmother to her goddaughters who she nurtured and cared for dearly throughout the years. She always proudly supported them through every endeavor and shared how proud she was of their accomplishments with everyone.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Harrison and RosiaJames, and her brother, Charles L. James. Left to cherish her memories are her aunts Bernice Hawkins(aunt) of Plainfield, NJ, Ruby Whinbush (Robert) of Orlando, FL, Mildred Ragland (Willy); nieces, Zakia Myers and Khadijah Holland, of East Orange, NJ; and a host of loving goddaughters, cousins and friends, who loved her and will miss her charismatic laugh andher one of a kind greeting and mantras, “How are you Darling!”, “You got to be kidding me!”, and most often stated- “Fabulous!”- just as she was.
Rosalyn accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior on February 26, 2024, assuring us that we will see her again.