Rosa Cade James

Rosa Cade James, the daughter of the late Luther Lee Cade and the late Cornelia Chambers Cade, was born on February 26 (forever 37) in Lumberton, North Carolina. She was one of seven children. Rosa departed this earthly life on Monday, March 5, 2012, at her home on Dorchester Road after a lengthy illness. At a young age, Rosa moved to Baltimore, Maryland where she received her education, earning her diploma from Frederick Douglass High School on which she was reigning Douglass Queen twice. She received her B.S. Degree from Morgan State University and later earning her Mortician’s License from Howard University in 1957. Formerly married to Henry James, they were blessed with a son and a daughter; Brent and Diane. Rosa cherished her family and extended family, and spent many precious moments sharing family stories and captivating tales from her life experiences. Having started work at Lasting Products as a Secretary in the 1950’s, Rosa always challenged herself and others to work to their best. She moved on to work for Morgan State College as a Secretary, a Senior Stenographer for the Maryland Commission on Interracial Problems and Relations, co-owning and managing the first black casket company in Baltimore, Henry James Casket Company as well as co-owning and managing the AAMES Industries Rental Equipment. January 9, 1978, Rosa embarked upon a new career with a company she grew to love as family – March Funeral Home. Starting as their Office Manager and Funeral Director – Rosa was invested in her service to others for 28 years, retiring as the Vice President of Administration (Human Resource Supervisor) of Marcorp LTD. Passionate about life and with no regards for unreasonable borders, Rosa enjoyed the finer things in life and not always conventional for black women during the time, she was a world traveler, a hunter of North American Animals, an award winning shooter (Trap & Skeet), and she also enjoyed skiing, playing cards, dancing the Cha Cha and the Jitter Bug and roller skating in her earlier days. She truly valued her friendships that grew from professional relationships and her sisterly bonds with childhood friends and members of the Ladies’ auxiliary. While always the social butterfly, she also possessed a civic and professional conscious as an active member of organizations such as YWCA & YMCA Committees, Callaway Garrison Neighborhood Assn., NAACP, Hebert Frisby Historical Society, Maryland Historical Society, Ladies’ Auxiliary of the F.D. & M.A., Funeral Directors & Morticians Assn. of Maryland, Maryland Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors & Morticians Assn. and the National Funeral Directors Assn. are among the list of many she served. Rosa leaves to cherish her loving memory: her son, Brent James; daughter, Diane James Clash; one sister, Patricia Smith; one brother, William “Jack” Starvis; three granddaughters, Natalia Clash, Laquisha James and Deja Gough; two grandsons, Brent James, Jr. and Ross James; three great- grandchildren, Audie “Cash” Mickens, Alaya James and Phoenix Rose James; one brother-in-law, Ronald Smith; special friends, Juanita Morton, Vergie Jennings, Owens Family and the March Family; and host of nephews, cousins and devoted friends.

Tributes

Rosa Cade James

March 5, 2012