Rosie Jackson

Rosie "Rose" Jackson went to be with the Lord, leaving the arms of her family at her home in Otto, Texas, in the early morning hours of Thursday, Feb. l9, 2009. She carried on a brave fight against cancer and passed away very peacefully. Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Otto. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco.

Rosie gave life to her first child, a son, Michael W. McFerrin who resides in California. He has a special relationship with his Mother whom he took care of and provided for from his days at Temple High School all throughout her life, and still today. Mike visited and called her regularly, making her smile even though he was far away. She was very proud of his personal and professional accomplishments, as well as his being a great fatherto his own daughter, Heather as well as a role model to his sisters, nieces and nephews. Rosie’s daughter, Donna Lloyd-Lovretovich resides in California, with her husband Joe, their marriage added four more grandchildren to the list of Rosie’s family, Mark, Paul, Brynne and Kara, all reside in California. Donna took great delight in her mom introducing Joe to Big Red Soda and Rosie’s famous meatloaf. Donna loved sharing her grandchildren with her mom, and watching their interaction.

Rosie’s last child Sharon (Weeks) Caddell resides in Otto, Texas, with her husband, Michael. Michael hand delivered Rosie’s mail everyday and often shared lunch with her, like a mother and son. He never complained about Rosie being included in his and Sharon’s lives. Sharon and her mother shared a special relationship developing over her mother’s years residing next door to she and Michael. They were best friends as well as mother and daughter. Both during and apart from family visits from the West Coast, Rosie loved LaFiesta Restaurant and visiting with her sister, Evelyn, those two being like twins. If one of the "girls" had a doctor’s appointment, they both went, Sharon had the two of them with her regularly, just as mom wanted. Sharon and Michael provided round the clock care for mom for the last seven months of her life, which we all appreciate more than words can say.

Evelyn Boehme, preceded in death by Buddy Boehme, whom Rosie adored, now resides in The Woodlands, Texas, and shares her life and time with Rosie’s baby brother, Walter Engelke and his wife, Elizabeth. Walter and Liz made sure the "girls" stayed close by providing visits to each other. Rosie was aunt to two nieces, Anne Engelke of The Woodlands, and Susan Lewis of Houston, with Susan adding her husband, Keith to the family, whom Mom adored. Her two nephews, Gene Engelke and Larry Boehme brought others into Mom’s life, Jannelle and Cindy, their spouses, along with Adam Engelke, who was like a great-grandson to Mom. Deceased neice, Janice and her husband, Wade Welch, gave their aunt a special great-nephew, Brian Welch and wife, Charita and a great-great-nephew, Jarred Welch. Rosie adored Anne’s daughter, Hannah Lowery, adding her as a great-great-neice.Another niece, Rita Nering and her son, Jason loved her as well.

Special names besides Mom and Mother followed Rosie through life, beginning at her birth in Riesel, through Temple and on to Waco and to her final home in Otto, those being Rose, "Challa,""Rosealeeta," Sis, Aunt Rose and lastly nicknamed, Granny Rosie by her first grandchild, Heather Elizabeth (McFerrin) Dana who resides with her husband, Mike in Oregon, along with their four children whom Granny Rosie adored, Kallan Rose, Javin, Hagan and Coligny.Mom was blessed with a trip planned by her son, Mike about a year ago to see Heather and her family. She and Heather picked up right where they left off at Heather’s wedding, once a "Granny Rosie" always a "Granny Rosie."

Her second grandchild, J.R. Lloyd of North Carolina, switched her name to Momo. J.R. introduced his special Annabelle to his Momo, again Momo loving her like she was her own. J.R. spent his first weekend with her when he was four months old, they were inseparable. Next, Lauren Lee Caddell of Austin, added daily light to Momo’s eyes, she lived the closest to Momo for many years, and while she will miss sharing a future family with the passing of Momo, she is comforted by knowing that she shared many great memories with her and that Momo will always be watching her growth through life as an Angel. Momo was blessed with another granddaughter, Megan Michelle Lloyd-Colon, who brought Momo an "Army grandson", her husband, Sgt. Mauricio Colon of Killeen, who gave Momo yet another name "A Great American." Both Megan and Lauren were pampered by Momo rubbing their foreheads until they would fall asleep. Both girls did this for their Momo during her last days. Megan and Mauricio have three children, Austin, Alex and Christopher. Momo played games with Austin, he teaching her how to "play Army" and the nickname, "Hide-E" from playing hide-n-seek. Christopher and Alex beamed when they saw her.Alex often asks for Momo, and Austin has had to learn to share "My Momo." She loved the movie Babe, and had her first Starbucks coffee recently. Megan will always cherish the picture of she and Momo at Megan’s wedding.

Finally, the last is Christopher Lloyd of Santa Barbara, he played with his Momo as all the others did, and wrote her a beautiful letter at Christmas, clearly showing a reflection of her outlook on life, be kind to everyone, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

During Rosie’s life she raised her three children alone, lastly working at The Waco News Tribune, retiring from Classified Sales in l977. She enjoyed occasional visits to the American Legion and VFW for dancing, going regularly to Church, and playing cards with her family and shopping with Sharon.Kind and gentle, loved by all, resting in the arms of the Lord, no more work for her to do on this Earth, and for this, we are all eternally grateful.

Rosie was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ewald and Elizabeth (Courtade) Engelke; her brother, Raymond Engelke; and her beloved neice, Janice Welch.

Pallbearers are J.R. Lloyd, Christopher Lloyd, accompanied by Austin Lloyd-Colon, standing in the place of his father, Sgt. Mauricio Colon who is serving his third tour in Iraq, Keith Lewis, Brian Welch, Jared Welch and Marc Caddell.

Special thanks to Wanda with Visiting Angels and to Becky and Stacie of Blue Bonnet Hospice. Their love for our Mother came quickly and we are forever grateful for their care.

Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.