Reflection of Life
Rosalind Lynette Stephens was born on March 31, 1948 in Memphis, TN to Dorothy
Mae and Robert Lee Stephens. She was the second of eight children, and the eldest of
two girls. Rosalind was a leader and strong willed from an early age. She graduated
from San Diego H.S. in 1966 and received a BA in Business Administration, BA in
Theology (United Theology Seminary), and an AA in Human Services (University of
Phoenix).
She married Donald Ray Haywood at the age of 18 and to their union was her first
daughter, Tiffinie Rene. She later married Benix Henry and of their union came her
second daughter, Catrina Regina. In 1979 she relocated to Seattle where she joined
Beacon Hill First Baptist Church and became an active minister. She also served as a
deaconess, usher, Sunday school teacher and pastor’s aide.
Rosalind, lovingly known as “Rose” to her patients, “Wassie” to her family and “Nana” to
grands and great grand spent countless hours in the kitchen making tamales, baking
bread and mixing up her famous agave juice. She was an entrepreneur selling
handmade dashikis after and homemade tamales, owning and operating a daycare for
12 years, and creating Be Cool—a personal coolant providing relief in the hot sun.
Before retiring in 2009, Rosalind worked as a hospice nurse for Banner Hospital and
Hospice of the Valley in Arizona. 
Rosalind was a single mom who loved God and her family. Always encouraging and
uplifting others. She had a heart for serving people and helped anyone in need. She
found interest in cooking, traveling and collecting elephants. She was full of wisdom,
positivity and family unity; in her presence, you always felt loved.
Her contagious laughter, clever nicknames for loved ones (NyNy, Emo, Jada, Shay
Boo, The Man, Bearry Boo, Cur and Cernie Journey, Elijah Bean, Ca-Henry, Tiff-a-riff
and Hey Baby). She was known for her unique catch phrases (Jammin’ on the one,
Bomb dot com, Yea babe, Go head Chil’, Hey Stinky Girl, Hush Shay, Shoot Girl, Call
me if you need me, & Everything is just as it should be). They were just some of her
signatures which showed her affection and love.
On July 22 nd , 2018 at the age of 70 God called his angel home. Rosalind was preceded
in death by her parents Robert and Dorothy Stephens, and by her four brothers:
Raymond Stephens (Eloise), Donald Stephens, Ronald Stephens, and Adolphus
Stephens. She leaves to mourn her two daughters: Tiffinie Jones (Elijah) of Fort Worth, TX and Catrina Henry of Federal Way, WA. Eight grandchildren: Cernie Smith and Ceirra Smith of Phoenix, AZ; Curiya Thompson, Darren Thompson Jr., Shayla Thompson, Emyrald Newton of Federal Way, WA; NaJada Jones and Emmoni Jones of Fort Worth, TX; as well as one great grandchild, Maniya Jackson. Rosalind is survived by two brothers Robert Stephens Jr. of Phoenix, AZ and Edwin Stephens of Seattle, WA and one sister Nadolyn Regina Stephens of San Diego, CA and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
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