Rosie Lee Tidwell

Her Life, Her Legacy

“Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31:31

Rosie Lee Tidwell was born August 20, 1932, to the late Emily Bell Carrol Tidwell and Joe Edward Tidwell in Pulaski County, Arkansas, and raised in Tie Plant Community located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.

On September 8, 1985, under the pastorship of the Late Rev. Don A. Kelly Sr. at New Hope Baptist Church (North Little Rock, Arkansas), she committed her life to serving Christ through baptism. For 40 years, she faithfully served on the Senior Usher Board as a doorkeeper at New Hope Baptist church and Greater New Hope Baptist church (North Little Rock, Arkansas).

Due to economic necessities, she dropped out of the fourth grade at Eastern Elementary School in North Little Rock to work in the cotton fields. Later, she worked in private homes, cleaning and caring for numerous families, including the Davis, the Waltons, and the Goldmans, among others. Leaving her private home, she worked at Baha Cruiser Boats, Inc. She later retired as a Line Operator after 30 years at the Maybelline L'Oréal factory. Unable to enjoy sitting still, she became the cook at GNH daycare, serving home-cooked meals to over sixty children.

She was affectionately known to many as “Aunt Rosie.” She built a life rooted in hard work and determination. She was the anchor, the matriarch of our family. She remembered every birthday. If, for some reason, you missed her birthday call, she would leave you a voice message telling you that she had baked you her famous Lemon Cake, Pound Cake, Peach Cobbler, or Sweet Potato Pie. You would receive a birthday card that read “May God Bless You Always from Aunt Rosie with Love always. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, a place where generations gathered to share stories, laughter, and her excellent meals.

Aunt Rosie was the embodiment of unconditional love and quiet strength. No matter the occasion or the cause, you could look around, and Aunt Rosie would be making her entrance to show up for you. Her kindness extended beyond her own family, as she had a knack for making everyone feel welcome and loved. Her generosity knew no bounds, and she taught us the importance of compassion, kindness, and perseverance through her powerful examples.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” Proverbs 31:26

While her life was devoted to her family, she also found joy in cooking, fishing, reading the “Our Daily Bread” devotional, crossword puzzles, community volunteering, and traveling. If you ever took a road trip with Aunt Rosie from the late eighties to the present, you have unforgettable memories to hold on to.

On Friday, October 3, 2025, Aunt Rosie took her final rest. She proceeds in death by her siblings, Eugene Tidwell Sr., Clarence Shelton Sr., Willie Tidwell, Roxie Tidwell, Powell Tidwell Sr., Levon Tidwell Sr., Matthew Tidwell, and Elnora Tidwell.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy her entire family, a host of nieces and nephews; a loving and devoted niece, Erma Jean Phillips, and a beloved cousin, Gloria Dean Murphy, who grew up as sisters and close friends. We know her legacy will live on in the lives she so tenderly nurtured.

“In the day when I cried out, you answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3