Rosie Spurlock Johnson

Rosie “Mae” Spurlock was born in Springfield, Ohio on 3/7/1937 to Arthur Kyles and Esther Spurlock. She was the oldest of four children. Rosie went to Fulton Elementary School. Rosie accepted the Lord at a young age and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Springfield, Ohio. Rosie was active in the Children’s Choir and spent a lot of time along with the family in church. Family and church with grandfather Rev. J. Arthur Spurlock was the main focus of her teenage years. Rosie continued her education at Springfield  Senior High School. Rosie as part of a military family, moved to Suffolk, Virginia. It was there that she met and married her husband Thurman “Bobby” Johnson. It was in Suffolk that they had their only child, Stephanie Marie Johnson. Rosie and family moved to Philadelphia where she remained active in church and the Eastern Star. They moved to San Diego in 1972. In 1992 Bobby preceded Rosie in death. Rosie worked at Mercy Hospital for 28 years. Rosie met her best friend Sharon while working at Mercy Hospital and became Sharon’s son Geno’s godmother. Rosie decided to take an early retirement. Rosie didn’t know how NOT to work. Rosie missed working and after 3 years of retirement life, she started working for the San Diego City Schools. She worked for the school system for 13 years. Rosie was a workaholic and only missed work due to health problems. Also during this time and due to her love of children, she became a foster parent for many children. Rosie was a devoted mother and grandmother. She traveled to Detroit, Michigan to see Stephanie, her grand-children and her great-grandchild often. Rosie joined Pilgrim Baptist on National Avenue. Living only one block from the church, it was easy to attend church. Rosie was a nurse at Pilgrim Baptist Church. Devoted to her Mother, Esther Reid, Rosie cared for and traveled often. She took a cruise last year with her aunt Ruth Ligons. Her sister Sonya, brother Joseph, and cousin Veronica tenderly cared for Rosie at home during her last months. Rosie went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 16, 2016. To cherish her life is her daughter Stephanie Varner of Detroit, Michigan; also from Detroit, Michigan are granddaughter, Tawana Varner-Luie and her husband Tony Luie, grandson, Delvonte Mitchell and great-granddaughter Tori Luie; from San Diego her brother, Joesph Reid, sister Sonya Reid, sister Joann House and husband Anthony House, aunts Ruth Ligons, and Mary Spurlock; aunt Deborah Williams of Temecula; and from Fayetteville, North Carolina, niece Maggie Oyola and husband Ricardo Oyola; and from San Diego nephew Sheldon Reid. There was always a special place in her heart for her son-in-law Tony Varner. There are many cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends to celebrate her life.