Bernadette L. Rose Funeral Director

Bernadette L. Rose
Funeral Director
Supervisor

Phone number element

412.241.5415

10940 Frankstown Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
info@rosefuneralhomeinc.com

Rose Funeral Home & Cremation Service

John Sopkiewicz Jr.

Our beloved John Sopkiewicz Jr. Ordained minister, passed away peacefully, Wednesday March 6th 2019 surrounded and in mind and spirit by family and friends who loved him most. He is survived by his loving wife Carol Sopkiewicz along with their daughters Shannon Conley and children Jared (girlfriend Sami), Jossalyn, and Makayla. Colleen Atwell husband Jeryl, and her son Dylan Morris. Rebecca Sopkiewicz and family, NJ Andrew Sopkiewicz and family, NJ Supportive loving sisters Ruth and Chuck Galuska, Sara and Lauren. Karen and Tim Brackett, Spencer and Nicky. Diane and Tom Tagliareni, and Tommy. Carol and Joe Aigner and Izabela. Special Nephew Robbie and Windy Flynn. Friends at Lowes. No viewing Or services at John’s request. Donations can be made to Hillman Cancer Center in memory Of John M Sopkiewicz Jr.

Kenneth Cleveland

Kenneth Cleveland, entered eternal rest on Monday, March 4, 2019 surrounded by his loved ones at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Kenny was born December 1, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA, to the late Scott Cleveland and Cora Tate.  He spent most of his childhood in the Hill and attended Pittsburgh Public Schools graduating from Fifth Avenue High School in 1962. During his high school years he met the woman who would become his wife for 52 years, Ethel Freeman and they were married on April 2, 1966.  To this union two children were born, Kenneth Earl and April Dionne. In 1965 he was called to serve in the United States Army and received orders to serve in Vietnam as a Teletype Operator and air courier delivering messages across the demilitarized zone. He received his honorable discharge from the US Army in 1968 and began working for the United States Postal Service, taking an early retirement after 25 years. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior while attending Church of Our Savior United Methodist Church. He served as Financial Secretary, Lay Leader and a Lay Pastor, taught adult Sunday School and sang in the Mass Choir.  In 1996 Kenny and his family moved their membership to serve the Lord at Baptist Temple Church in Homewood where he was a member of the Men’s Choir, Mass Choir, and an Ordained Deacon. He also sang around the City of Pittsburgh with the African American Male Chorus. He was an exercise enthusiast, one of the best dancers ever, enjoyed tending to his lawn, reading novels and watching movies. More importantly he loved the Lord and loved spending time with his family who he called his best friends. He was preceded in death by his sister Gladys Prude; brothers Theodore, Edward, Larry, and Earl. He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Ethel; Son, Kenneth Earl (Minnie); daughter, April Cleveland; grandson Tony Franklin; granddaughter Bianca Atterberry, and great-grandson Niko Travis. Brothers, Spencer (Elizabeth) Scotty, Leroy; Sister, Christine Cleveland; sisters-in-law Bennie Turner (Albert)  Elizabeth (Spencer) Teri Wilson (Vernon) Minister Deborah Holt, Sarah Freeman, Darlene Epps (Charles) Laverne Clark (Keith) one brother-in-law Ben Freeman, Jr. (Yvonne) and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and his Baptist Temple Church Family. Friends received Friday 10am til time of service at 11am at Baptist Temple church 7241 Race Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.

Vincent M. Williams Sr.

VINCENT MARTIN WILLIAMS, SR., affectionately known as “Man” to his family peacefully departed this life in his home on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in the company of his family.  On May 4, 1930, he was the second born of eleven children to the late Joseph and Margaret Williams in Pittsburgh.   He was raised in the Homewood-Brushton area and received his formal education in the Pittsburgh Public School system, and attended the Holy Rosary Catholic Parish.  At a young age, he was mechanically inclined.  His passion was vehicles…any vehicle.  He also loved sports and was a proficient baseball player.   In 1947, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He also had a brief stint with the U.S. Naval Reserve.  His service to his country lasted three years.  After his honorable discharge at the MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, he was unable to find steady employment due to the segregated South.  He returned to Pittsburgh where he held several positions with companies like Hussey Steel, VA Hospital, and Yellow Cab, to name a few.  Following these short term occupations, he started his career with the Port Authority Transit as a laborer and achieved a position as maintenance foreman.  He worked there 25 years until his retirement.   In 1951, Vincent met and married Rosarita Yates.  They were married 37 years.  From this union, he fathered six children.  As part of his legacy, he was a great provider, a positive role model, and raised his children with stability and strength.   After his marriage, Vincent established a meaningful relationship with the late Susie Ferguson, and to affirm the couple’s bond, they raised Susie’s great nephew, Robert Lee Lucky, from his infancy.   He was a man of many talents.  Most notable, was his unparalleled work ethnic, incredible acumen as a carpenter, plumber, and mechanic.  During his leisure time, he could be found watching the local and world news, Jeopardy, and a good baseball game.  He also loved listening to jazz and blues.   Finally, the challenges associated with his medical condition prompted him to surrender his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.   Vincent was preceded in death by his four brothers, Mark, Peter, Leo and Samuel Williams; one sister, Cecil Williams. He leaves to cherish his memory the mother of his children, Rosarita Williams; six loving children: Vincent Williams,Jr., Mark (Pam) Williams, Deborah Williams-Cutrary, Darnell Williams, Patricia (Thomas) Christian, and Rita (Canard) Grigsby; a grafted son and brother, Robert Lee (Carissa) Lucky; two sisters: Sylvia (Harry) Powell, Margaret (Joseph) Boxley; three  brothers: David (Sandy) Williams, George (Marilyn) Williams and Thomas (Darlene) Williams; 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Rose Mary Davis

of Penn Hills’ Lincoln Park Community, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 16, 2019. She passed peacefully at home – the same home that she was raised in and spent the majority of her life. Rose Mary was born March 3, 1950 to parents Fritz and Mary Davis. Her older brother Richard Davis, a retired PA State Trooper, passed in April 2018. Her younger sister, Joyce Davis, is the Executive Director of the Lincoln Park Community Center as well as the Executive Director of The Western Pennsylvania Center for Just Solutions, Inc. Rose Mary was essentially a life-long resident of Penn Hills, having moved to the community at just 5 years old. She graduated from Penn Hills High School and earned a BA degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Counseling. She was an elementary school teacher and counselor in the Penn Hills School District. She was concerned about the lack of diversity of the Penn Hills School District staff and would often visit colleges to encourage minority students to apply for open educational positions in Penn Hills School District. Her efforts were usually not met with enthusiasm, or even approval, from those around her. This did not discourage Rose Mary from work she believed important. Rose Mary went on to become the First Vice President of the Penn Hills NAACP Unit # 2278. She would use this platform to continue her advocacy. After retiring from the school district, she continued to serve as a student advocate for many students. She enjoyed providing the unit with a Black History Tea and she loved sharing the wealth of great inventions and advocacy of Black people. She loved the Lord, was baptized as a young child, and loved to visit local churches. Rose Mary lived out her faith as she volunteered at the Lincoln Park Community Center Food Pantry and many other center events. According to her wishes, Rose Mary remained in her home to the very end. The familiar surroundings helped to keep her peaceful despite the physical challenges posed by her failing health. Visitation with family and friends will be Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at Rolling Hills Church, (120 Gernert Drive, Verona, PA 15147). The Christian funeral service will immediately follow the visitation time and will be led by Pastor Greg Drayer. Donations to Just Solutions are requested in place of flowers. The Mission of the Western Pennsylvania Center for Just Solutions is to assist all individuals, businesses, and organizations in seeking to create, find, and implement solutions to economic, racial, and societal problems. The Western Pennsylvania Center for Just Solutions will support and promote those solutions that uplift ALL of “us” – either individually or collectively – rather than continually divide us and tear down others. Checks can be sent to: Western PA Center for Just Solutions, Inc., c/o Lincoln Park Community Center, 7300 Ridgeview Ave., Penn Hills, PA 15235.