Cover photo for Rosemary Winston Smith's Obituary
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1931 Rosemary 2024

Rosemary Winston Smith

April 10, 1931 — June 10, 2024

Little Rock

A Celebration of Life for Rosemary Winston-Smith

Rosemary Winston-Smith was born in Eudora, Arkansas on April 10, 1931, to R. L. and Annette (Harris) Winston. 

 Known either as Sweet or Aunt Rose by her cousins, nieces and nephews and Smith by her co-workers at LaGirls Beauty Salon, Rosemary’s trademark lavender hair served as a metaphor for her life: spirited, fearless and remarkable.

 Rosemary moved to Little Rock around the age of 18. Shortly after arriving in the big city, she pursued her dream of becoming a licensed cosmetologist. Little did the teenage Rosemary know that she would become a premier hair stylist who co-owned one of the only Black- female beauty salons in downtown Little Rock. 

 Rosemary’s business career was as outstanding as her style. Making her mark in the world of cosmetology, Rosemary reveled in making women of all ages feel beautiful. 

 Beginning her career in the 1950s and retiring in 2014, Rosemary was a tireless advocate for women's self-care. She believed wholeheartedly that if a woman looked her best, she would feel her best. This is the primary reason she started her own cosmetics line, adorning her products with her moniker Satin Lady Cosmetics. 

 Rosemary had a signature look and a signature style, one that she relished on her clients whom she lovingly called her ladies. 

 Rosemary was as devoted to her family as she was to her career. Married for over 50 years to her loving husband Matthew Smith, Rosemary kept Christ at the center of her life attending church each Sunday. She attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Later in her life, Rosemary began attending church service at Little Rock Church of Christ with her granddaughter, Nicole, whom she called Nikki, and her daughter-in-law whom she called her daughter, Martha.

 For Rosemary, life was an adventure, each moment was to be savored, to be relished. Rosemary did not have many regrets in her life. She often said that you had to “put legs on prayer” and that she did. There was no task too difficult, no challenge too tough for her to attempt. Whether you call her Sweet, Aunt Rose, Rose, Grandmama, or Mother, the Satin Lady from Eudora, Arkansas is a role model for all as her life speaks to the power of determination. 

 Rosemary was preceded in death by parents, R.L. and Annette (Harris) Winston, stepmother, Marguerite Winston, husband, Matthew Smith; sister Josephenie Ramsey; niece Joy Ramsey, and her son, Michael Smith.


She leaves to cherish her memory her granddaughter, Nicole (Nikki) Smith (Little Rock, AR) and her daughter-in-law, Martha Smith (Little Rock, AR), along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 


While there are many who cherished Rosemary’s memory, her daughter-in-law (daughter), Martha, and her granddaughter, Nicole (Nikki) would like to make a special acknowledgement to the stylists at LaGirls Beauty Salon who were a central part of her life. Rosemary enjoyed working with all of you. 

 A special acknowledgement to the veteran stylists of LaGirls, her best friends: Mrs. Grandison whom she called, Gran, Mrs. Mitchell, whom she called Mitch, and a very special thank you to Mrs. Robinson, (Mrs. Rob) one of her closest friends and confidants. 

 In loving memory of Mrs. Rosemary Winston-Smith: Sunrise--April 10,1931 Sunset--June 10, 2024.

 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rosemary Winston Smith, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, June 13, 2024

1:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

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Funeral Service

Friday, June 14, 2024

Starts at 2:30 pm (Central time)

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