Nell Roosa

Nell Knox Smyth Roosa, a lifelong resident of Uvalde, died on January 8, 2015, at the family home which was built by her parents in 1909. She was born at this residence ninety-five and half years ago and delivered by her grandfather, Dr. T.R. Knox. Dr. Knox was a Uvalde physician with his office located on the second floor of the Opera House.
She was born June 26, 1919 to Marie Knox Smyth and Lewis Miller Smyth, Sr. Nell's ties with St. Philip's Episcopal Church run deep as this was where she was baptized, confirmed, married and is where her funeral services will be conducted.
Nell graduated from Uvalde High School in 1936. She then attended Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia graduating in 1939.
World War II was in full swing when Nell met her husband, Jack Edward Roosa, at Garner Field where she was working as a secretary. Jack was an Air Force pilot from Lansing, Michigan. After a whirlwind courtship they married on January 16, 1943.
The couple had four children just prior to Jack being tragically killed while on active duty with the Air Force Reserves. He was thirty-nine. This left Nell with four young children to raise alone. She worked for various employers as she was determined to allow her children to grow up in Uvalde.
Nell was a member of the Uvalde de las Encinas chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Her children said that often when they introduced their friends to their mother, they would say "She's a lady."
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one sister, Louise Smyth Maddox; two brothers, Lewis Miller Smyth, Jr. and Dr. Rodger Grigsby Smyth.
She is survived by three sons Richard Roosa, Jack Edward Roosa, Jr. and wife Linda all of Houston; and son, Charles Rodger Roosa and wife Mary Anna, and one daughter, Nell Louise Roosa, all of Concan.
She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Linda Lee and husband Anthony D'Antonio; Stefan and wife Anna Catherine Roosa; Chase Roosa; Cathy and husband Lt.Col. Mike Brock; JoAnna and husband Derek Walker.
There are also 12 great-grandchildren, Nicole and A.J. D'Antonio; Carter, Kyle and Catherine Roosa; Ellie Roosa; Jack, Mary Claire and Chloe Brock; Anna Cate, Westin and Reed Walker.
Pallbearers will be Chase Roosa, Derek Walker, Stefan Roosa, Jack Brock, Westin Walker and John Thomas Buchanan.
The family expresses special appreciation to Nell's faithful care-givers: Estella Murillo, Cathy Martinez and Tonye Lee Neal.
Services will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 2 p.m at St. Phillip's Episcopal Church with burial at Uvalde Cemetery.
The family requests memorials be made to the Uvalde Hospice organization, St. Phillip's Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice.

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