Obituary of Rosa Bell Shade

Rosa Belle Shade, 89 of State College died Sunday, August 14, 2016. She was born April 12, 1927 in Aliceville Alabama, daughter of the late Charles and Tennie Jones Morgan. On Aug 28, 1945, Rosa married Tom Shade Jr., the Unofficial Greeter of State College, who died on September 12, 2006 in State College, PA. Rosa is survived by five of her children: Charles Edward Shade (wife Patricia) of State College, PA; Tom Shade III (wife Phyllis) of Hartford City, IN; Jessie Lovelle Shade (wife Sally) of Huntingdon, PA; Brenda Joyce Shade of State College, PA; and Tennie Delois Shade who lives in the Philippine Islands. Mrs. Shade is survived by eight grandchildren: Michael Shade, Chutney Arrington, Nicholas Shade, Damion Shade, Charles Shade Jr., Michelle Shade, Rebecca Shade and Rachel Shade. Rosa is survived by five great-grandchildren: Mikayla Green, Davon Shade, Donavon Shade, Hayley Shade and Sierra Shade. Also, Rosa is survived by her sister Mary Lee George of Macon, GA. Mrs. Shade is preceded in death by her father Charles who died in 1966, her mother Tennie Jones who died in 1980; her brother Charles Jones who died July 30, 2007; her husband Tom Shade Jr., who died September 12, 2006; her daughter-in-law Roberta (husband Harry Shade), who died May 3, 2012; her daughter Gwendolyn Joyce Shade who died July 3, 2012; her son Harry Jerome Shade who died January 6, 2015; her son Henry Lawrence Shade, who died March 6, 2015; and her grandson Aaron Shade, who died May 21, 2013 Rosa was a very good student and hard worker growing up in Tuscaloosa, AL. She graduated from Druid High School and was accepted to attend Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL. While she was attending Stillman College, Rosa met Tom Shade Jr. Rosa and Tom decided that they were meant for each other. They married each other and raised eight children. Rosa and Tom were very good examples to their children on how to handle the challenges that life presented to them. When work became uncertain for Tom, Rosa took a job at S.H. Kress Co. in Tuscaloosa. After the family made the move to State College, PA, Rosa became a cook at Penn State University to help with family finances. Her surviving children remember her as a driven woman and a mother who encouraged them to pursue the goals that she felt were best for them. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the Unity Church of Christ, 140 N. Gill Street, State College with the Rev. Harold McKenzie officiating. Burial will be held in Centre County Memorial Park in State College. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Rosa’s life. Rosa loved to read so in lieu of flowers please make a donation to Schlow Library, 211 S. Allen Street, State College. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.