Rosa Lea (McMillian) Wimbley

Rosa Lea Wimbley, 83, of 221 Tempting Church Rd., Sanford, NC passed on Friday, July 14, 2017 at Central Carolina Hospital, Sanford, NC.

She was born on August 5, 1933 to the late Caleb & Hattie McMillian in  Lemon Springs, NC and was the baby of a family that totaled fourteen children.
 
Rosa married Willie “Peter” Wimbley (deceased) on July 25, 1952.  They had nine children.
A baby girl passed in 1957 and another daughter Pamela Jane Wimbley Spruill passed on December 12, 2009.

Rosa Lea as some called her, worked hard to get her Licensed Practical Nurse’s degree while her older children were in middle and high school.  Of course, the children were then able to help her with her homework.  Rosa Lea was blessed to see all her children through school and supported them in their educational and christian endeavors. 

There was always a garden of fresh vegetables and a few hogs to help provide for the family. The Wimbley house was a place that neighboring children liked to hang out at as the family was often outside playing games and going to various recreational functions.

Rosa accepted the Lord as her saviour and often would request a new bible since the previous one would need to be replaced.  She was a long time member of Tempting Congregational Church where she sang in the Senior Choir, was a member of the Missionary Department and was a faithful member until her health declined. Even then, she purposed to attend the annual homecoming service as often as possible.

Arriving in the Tempting community, there were five children at that time:  Willie Fredrick (Tamera) Wimbley, Cora Diann (Jackie) Owens, Sandra Kay (Donald) Patterson, Karen Jean Ray, and Griggs Chandler (Audrey) Wimbley.  A few years later the twins came, Donna Kim (Pastor Nathane) Hooker and Donald Kent Wimbley, and the Wimbley clan ended with Pamela Jane (Willie) Spruill.

Besides her children, she leaves to cherish her memories one sister, Remonia G. Spinks, four sisters-in- law, Lucille McMillian, Pastor Alice McMillian, Pastor Pearline McMillian and   Dorothy Linda Pettiford.

Although Rosa had more grandchildren than she could name, she loved them all and looked forward to hearing “Hi Grandma Rosa” as they came running towards her. She leaves a legacy of thirty-one grandchildren, seventy-seven great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren with another one due to arrive at the end of 2017.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends will all cherish her memory.

Arrangements By: Knotts Funeral Home, 719 Wall Street, Sanford, NC.

 Service Information