Birth Date: 04/02/1926
Deceased Date: 05/07/2020
Smithfield – It is with great sadness that the family of Rossie Lassiter Adams announces her passing at the age of 94 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield.
Born in Johnston County, Rossie was the daughter of the late Aldridge Benton Lassiter and Emily Jones Lassiter of Crantock Rd. Smithfield. Rossie was a graduate of Cleveland High School. She continued on to Atlantic Christian College, class of 1946. She also had the heart to serve others. During her time at Atlantic Christian, she drove the college bus from the Cleveland community transporting locals to Wilson so that they all could attend college.
Following graduation from Atlantic Christian, Rossie went on to teach in the Johnston County School System. Her teaching career began at Micro School and then at Meadow School until her retirement after 30 years of faithful service to the students that she taught. While teaching at Meadow School, she was awarded Teacher of the Year. In 2012, she was awarded the Living Legend award by Johnston County School System, recognizing the dedication and excellence that she displayed during her career. She actively participated in and enjoyed the gatherings of the retired teachers of the “MeClub” of Meadow School. She loved the Meadow Community and the many families that she interacted with over the years.
Rossie was a longtime resident of Smithfield and a lifelong member of Pisgah Baptist Church in Smithfield, where she was a Sunday School teacher and served on numerous committees. Pisgah was the center of her life and kept her active and involved while she had her health. Her friendships from Pisgah and her family completed her life. She was a devoted teacher for her students at church and school. She had a servant’s heart; from summers teaching Vacation Bible School to afternoons spent with her grandchildren, her classroom had no boundaries. In her younger days, you might have seen her joining the kids on rollerskates, biking around the block, or jumping on the trampoline in the back yard. In her free time, she enjoyed writing poetry and stories. Many fond memories were shared as she read them with family and friends.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will have a private family graveside service at Pisgah Baptist Church in Smithfield.
She is survived by her daughter, Gailya A. Fish, and husband, Larry of Willow Spring; son, Carlton F. Adams, Jr. and wife, Geri of Clayton; sister, Ann Reilly of Laurie, MO; brother, A. Benton Lassiter, Jr. of Holly Ridge; grandchildren, Karla Adams of Garner, Kelly Wilson and husband, Dusty of Willow Spring, Brad Adams and wife, Meredith of Goldsboro, Adam Fish and wife, Tina of Sanford, Sara Gregory and husband, Samuel of Angier, Susan Dunn and husband, Cameron of Willow Spring; great-grandchildren, Molly Wilson, Laney Wilson, Caroline Adams, Everett Adams, Walter Dunn, and Giulia Shafer.
In addition to her parents, Rossie was preceded in death by her sisters, Sarah Godwin of Smithfield and Edith Reid of Pine Level.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pisgah Baptist Church, Smithfield, or the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield. Our family is most grateful to Pisgah Church and the care and kindness shown to our Mother by the staff at the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at Parrishfh.com
