Velma Rosser

Velma Hale was born in 1922 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the youngest of three children of Yvonne Tilly Hale and Edwin Ruthbin Hale. She grew up in New Iberia beside Bayou Teche, and assisted her father with woodworking and gardening and her mother with arts and crafts. She and her family survived the Great Flood of 1927, sheltering first with neighbors and later at a church as the waters covered her neighborhood. At age 10, she won a bicycle in a local coloring contest, an achievement that she remembered with pride all her life. After graduating high school, she attended Louisiana College, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and certified as a Registered Nurse. She also met John Hearn Rosser, who she married on May 5, 1946. Velma and John raised three daughters and lived a life of love and service. She worked as a nurse and kindergarten teacher and he as a pastor and social worker. Together they lived in a number of cities around the South, finally settling in in the Green Acres neighborhood of Bossier City in the 1970's. Velma worked for years as an evening charge nurse at Physicians and Surgeons hospital in Shreveport, retiring at age 70. Velma is preceded in death by her husband of almost sixty four years as well as her brother, Widney Hale and her sister, Tilly Hale Gandy. She is survived by three daughters and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who remember her fondly and with gratitude. Velma and John will be remembered for their kindness to all, especially children. Food and comfort were always available for anyone in need. She will be greatly missed by all that had the honor of her love.