Rosa Mary (Jenkins) Everett

Mrs. Rosa Mary Jenkins Everett was a native of Northport, Alabama. She was one of 5 children, and the only daughter, born to the late Emanuel (Sr.) and Susie Blackmon Jenkins. Rosa Everett was affectionately referred to as “Sister” by her brothers and other family members. She graduated from Tuscaloosa County Training School. Her post-secondary studies were completed at Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Education. While at Stillman, she was crowned Miss Stillman. Mrs. Everett obtained a Master’s degree in Education from Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, Florida. After undergraduate college, she moved to Thomasville and met the Love of her life, Moses D. Everett, Sr. They were married for 29 years before his passing in 1984. To this union was born one son, Moses D. Everett, Jr. Mrs. Everett began teaching in Thomasville City Schools, Thomasville, GA in 1953 as an itinerant Bible teacher. In 1955, she began a new pathway as a 1st grade teacher at Susie H. Dunlap Elementary and then in 1972, she was transferred to Scott Elementary School. She taught 1st grade for 35 years. As a teacher, Mrs. Everett received numerous local and state awards and recognitions. Among these was being selected as the district’s Teacher of the Year in 1983. She went on to compete at the state level where she was recognized by the GA Department of Education’s State School Superintendent, Dr. Charles McDaniel. Some collateral professional tasks included serving as grade level chair, various committees’ participant, an instructional fair judge, and served as a State K-4 Education Advisory committee member. Mrs. Everett was a member of the Thomasville/Thomas County Retired Educators Association. In the community, Mrs. Everett was aways very active. Archbold Hospital recognized her for her long years of service as a volunteer. She was a member and officer in the Aquarius Club, Community Block Club (C), was a Den Mother with her son’s Cub and Boy Scout troops. Additionally, she was a Brownie Scout leader, a Thomasville High School Band Booster volunteer, and was the organizer of the first community-based tribute to graduating seniors from the city and county schools in 1976.

Mrs. Everett joined Providence Missionary Baptist Church in 1956. She dedicated many years of service to the church. These include, but was not limited to, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Secretary of the Deaconess, Mothers’ and Ministers’ Wives Group, Secretary of the Clara Majors Mission, chaired many programs, organized the Flower Committee and served as leader of this committee for 14 years. She was designated as a “Mother of the Church” for more than a decade. Mother Everett took the initiative to do many tasks in the church as God led and enabled her to complete. When her health began to decline, she even worked from home in a supportive role wherever she was needed at the church. During her leisure, Mrs. Everett enjoyed shopping for shoes and hats. She had a knack for various types of crafting activities. Traveling, Home Décor, and Gardening were her favorite pastimes. She was always ecstatic to create memories and precious moments with her great-grandchildren – Marley Christina Everett (a 9-year-old dancer, professional DJ, and basketball player); Zoë Alyssa Everett (an 8-year-old artist, animal advocate, and basketball player); and Ethan Christopher Everett (a 2-year-old “very busy bee”)! She was eagerly awaiting the birth of a new great-granddaughter this Fall. Her legacy will be cherished by her son, Moses, daughter-in-law, Sabrina Boykins-Everett, two grandsons, Moses D. Everett, III (Brook) and Samuel Christopher Everett (Jasmine), great-grandchildren and brother, Andrew Jenkins, Sr. She was preceded in death by her parents Emanuel, Sr. and Susie Jenkins; brothers, Charles Jenkins, Emanuel Jenkins, Jr., and Edward Lee Jenkins. Mrs. Everett also leaves many nieces/ nephews, great nieces/nephews, great-great nieces/nephews, numerous friends and family who loved her dearly and will have many sweet stories to share with future generations. Rosa Everett once said, she believed with all her heart that “Only what you do for Christ will last”.