Biography: Rosa Mae departed this life on July 30, 2019 at 10:30AM in St. Luke Roosevelt Hospital. She was the first born to the late Minnie and Willie Bill Adams and thirteen others followed.
 
In 1942 Rosa Mae accepted Jesus Christ in her life at Union A.M.E. Church in Elloree, South Carolina. Her Uncle Bunk gave her twenty-five cents each Sunday to sing. She received her education at Elloree Training School and graduated in 1949. That same year she moved to New York City. She started employment at Central Apron and Linen Company until her retirement.
 
On December 13, 1958 she married Richard Howard, she continued to help the younger siblings come to New York and they built a house for their parents.
 
Rosa Mae was the matriarch of the family in New York City.
 
The bright lights of New York didn't keep Rosa Mae from the Lord’s house. On June 30, 1949 she joined Greater Emmanuel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend T.T. Gooden Sr. On July 31, 1983 she was baptized. She was the songbird of Emmanuel. She sang with the Jubilee Choir and served as President, traveled with the Busy Bee, she was the Church Clerk and held many other offices at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Rosa Mae was also the greatest fundraiser ever.
 
Her membership continued under the late Reverend Dr. Thaddeus T. Gooden Jr. she was one of the Mothers of the church, continuing to serve the Lord under the leadership of Reverend Marjorie Gooden until her departure. She will be truly missed.
 
She leaves to mourn: Elizabeth and Samuel Wilson of South Carolina; David and Donna of New York; Hubert and Ola of South Carolina; Hazel and Bessie Mae of New York; Lottie Rodney, Patricia Snider, Minnie Lee Sumpter of South Carolina; Willie Mae Plezer of South Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Thelma Evans of Sumpter, South Carolina  and Inez Adams of Baltimore; one uncle, Harry Dukes of Charleston, South Carolina; two stepdaughters, Lillian and Lynette of New Jersey; Dorothy Aikens of South Carolina; her buddy, Birdie Glenn of New York and her best friend Willamena Darby; four godchildren: Sharon Adams, Thelma Irons, Dr. Kenneth Newkirk and Tony Montgomery; as well as a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.