Rose Varnado Obituary

Varnado, Rose Marie

On Tuesday evening, May 18, 2021, Rose Marie Varnado, made her transition. She was 78 years old. Rose was born on March 27, 1943, to the late John and Rosetta Varnado in Chicago Illinois. Recently, she moved to Newburgh, Indiana, to be closer to her son Illya A. Williams. She is preceded in death by her stepmother, Mildred Varnado, and her stepbrother David C. Ivey. She is survived by her 3 siblings, John L. Varnado Jr. of Montgomery, Alabama, Eugene C. Varnado (Deborah) of Chicago, Illinois and Chiquita L. Isom of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 6 step siblings, James D. Ivey (Debra), Needham Ivey (Karen), Nedra C. Ivey, Sandra Ivey Bradford (Terry), Denise E. Ivey, and Michael S. Ivey; 2 children, Veronica D. Harvey of Farmington, New Mexico and Illya A. Williams (Taleha) of Chandler, Indiana; 6 grandchildren (Michael, Bethany, Chrysta, Illysa, Mialeha, and Kentaizya); 5 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Rose began her walk with Christ at an early age at the Church of the God Shepherd Congregational UCC, Chicago, Illinois. In her later years she joined the Church of Christ and is currently a member of Chatham-Avalon Church of Christ. Rose graduated from Englewood High School in Chicago, IL, and went on to receive her bachelor's degree in accounting and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Rose worked in finance and accounting until her retirement from Witco Chemical in 1999, after 20 years. Rose was an accomplished pianist and world traveler. She visited and lived in several states and countries such as Israel, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada, California, Illinois, South Carolina, Colorado, Indiana, and New Mexico to name a few. To know Rose was to love her. Her laugh, smile and kindness were infectious. Her mere presence would light up the entire room. Rose enjoyed volunteering for many organizations and supporting her favorite charities. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends from Betsy Ross elementary school, afternoons out with her cousins, events at Mathers, and spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The viewing will be held on Friday, May 28th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Leak and Sons Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60619. The services will be held on Saturday, May 29th from 11:00am-1:00pm at Chatham-Avalon Church of Christ, 8601 S. State St, Chicago, IL. 60619. Live Streaming:

https://www.facebook.com/chathamavalon

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnt-7gIL9phyM7CY-NJU08g

The family wishes to extend our thanks and gratitude to everyone for your condolences, kind words, caring gestures and prayers in our time of bereavement. Your love and kindness will never be forgotten. Thank you, you are loved. Donations may be made in Rose's name to St. Jude Hospital of Memphis, Tennessee.

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