Biography: Mother Rosa Lee Canteen-White was born to the late James Canteen and Carrie B. Ford Canteen on November 7th, 1915. She departed this life on Thursday, May 16th, 2019 at 6:43 p.m. in Bronx Lebanon Hospital in the Bronx.
Mother White was a member of the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in the Dunbar Community, where she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age. She was the Sunday school superintendent.
Mother White moved to New York, where she worked as a seamstress, making her own clothes, hats, and quilts. Working hard and settling in, she paved the way for many other family members to follow her up to New York City.
In 1953, Mother White became a member of First Glorious Church under the leadership of the late Reverend A. B. Duncan. Mother White served on the missionary board, usher board, and motherboard. She was always willing to serve wherever she was needed. Mother White served as the mother of the church until she was no longer able to attend. She was placed in the Grand Concourse Nursing and Rehabilitation Center until she went home to be with the Lord.
Mother White was predeceased by her daughter Rosa Lee Canteen and granddaughter Linda Louise Canteen Rice.
Mother White leaves to cherish her fond memories:
Her daughter, Barbara J Goodman, three grand-daughters, Yvette Goodman-Ross, Georgette Freeman, Veronica Goodman-Peterson (Wendell) of Bronx, New York. Four grandsons, Isaac Canteen Sr. of Columbia, South Carolina, Ron Goodman Jr. (Margeaux) of Brooklyn New York, Jeffrey Freeman of Florida, and Lamont Canteen of New York. Two sisters, Ethel Giles of Syracuse, New York and Carrie M. Canteen of Dunbar, South Carolina. Nieces she raised as daughters, Carol Atkins, Stella Brown and Lilie Ann Giles, and her god-daughter Karen Coates Powell (Bryan), son-in-laws she still held close to her heart, Ronald Goodman Sr. and Luis Ross Sr. 8 grand, 22 great-grand, 27 great-great-grand, 6 great-great-great-grands. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. Two special children in the gospel, Bishop Alvin Crone (Lady Crone) and her beloved pastor Rev. Ronald Hare (Lady Hare).
A special grand-niece, Joyce Michaela Armstrong, who faithfully visited Mama and read her the Bible, was the last family member to visit and speak with her. Mother White had special and unique relationships with everyone, First Glorious, Garden of Prayer, and especially her Fulton Ave family, where she was Mama to everyone.