Rosa Louise Williams

Rosa Louise Williams was born on February 4, 1948, to Eddie and Hattie Mae Billups in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the oldest of their two daughters. Shortly after the birth of her sister, she, along with her family, moved to Chicago, Illinois, in December 1951.

Rosa attended Parker Elementary School (K–8) and later Calumet High School, where she graduated in 1966. After high school, she began working at Sears, Roebuck & Co., taking her first steps into adulthood. In 1969, Rosa married Edward Starks, and while building her life and family, she continued working at Sears and pursuing her education. Her dedication paid off when she became a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and began working at Michael Reese Hospital. Not long after, Rosa and Edward were blessed with a daughter, Ewanya.

Following the end of her first marriage, Rosa met Gregory Williams. Together, they relocated to California in 1977, where they were married in November of that year. In the early 1980s, Rosa would go back to school to earn her Registered Nursing license, achieving a major goal. Rosa worked as a Nurse for 40 years, in various capacities. She would finish her career working as an Occupational Health Nurse for the City of Los Angeles.

Rosa attended Macedonia Baptist Church in Los Angeles for 20 years, where she was a member of the Nurses’ Board. In 2015, Rosa moved to Chino to be closer to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons. Soon after, she joined Mt. Zion Church of Ontario, where she was also a member of the Nurses’ Board.

In her free time, Rosa loved spending time with her family, shopping, travelling, and exercising. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her Grandsons, often taking them to the zoo, horseback riding, attending their school events, baseball, and basketball games.

On the morning of January 2, 2026, Rosa left us peacefully, surrounded by love, prayers, and family. Rosa leaves to cherish her memory: Her sister, Edwina Chism (Arizona), daughter, Ewanya, Son-in-law, Clarence McZeal, her two grandsons, Colin and Evan, her nieces, Rosa Catrina (Daryl), Lauren Danette Starks (Chicago), nephews Robert (Myeshia) and Jarid (Nickel), Erick West (California), Tommy West (Chicago), great-nephews Daryl Jr. and Ethan, and great-nieces, Courtney, Kayla, and Ayonna. She also leaves a host of cousins and friends whom she loved dearly.