Rosa Mae Highsmith

Rosa Mae “Sweet Pea” Highsmith, 82, passed away at Danbury Hospital on February 10, 2024, surrounded by her family.

She was born on December 29, 1941, to Hattie B. Brown Person and Julius Cherry in Bethel, North Carolina. Rosa graduated from Conetoe High School in 1960 and moved to Danbury, CT with her Uncle Bill Cherry shortly after. In her youth, she enjoyed playing basketball, singing in the choir, and learning how to cook from her grandmother. As Rosa lived, she became an avid cook and baker and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends around the kitchen table. 

Rosa met her best friend and life partner, Glen Earl Highsmith in 1979, and soon after two families became one when they joined in marriage. After many years of service, Rosa retired from Davis  & Geck Corporation to spend more time with family. Rosa was strong, fearless, resilient, and authentic. She was a devoted member of Mt. Pleasant AME Zion Church and loved going there on Sundays. In her free time Rosa enjoyed rooting for the New York Yankees and hosting friends and family in her home for every holiday and celebration. Rosa was a loyal friend, a doting mother, and was just a call away if anyone needed her. She will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Rosa is survived by her loving family, her husband Glen Earl Highsmith of 44 years, her daughter, Sabrina Highsmith Walker; her grandchildren, Aminah Walker, Aliyah Walker, and Gavin Highsmith; her sisters, Shirley Person Armstrong, Laveda Cherry, and Stephanie Walker; her brothers, William Person, Jimmy Person, and Ronald Cherry; her beloved cousin, Dorothy Mae Roberson; her beloved niece, Michelle Little; her goddaughter, Hope Ebron; her sisters-in-law, Lula Mae Terry, Launia Brown, VanessamPerson, and Betty Cherry; her brother-in-law, Crawford Walker, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Besides Rosa’s parents she was predeceased by her stepfather, Elbert Person; her sons Taronio Highsmith and Daryl Highsmith, her two sisters; Daisy Brown Little, and Cynthia Lovick, and her four brothers; Willie Brown, Milton Brown, Carleton Brown, and Vincent Cherry. Rosa also welcomed her brother, James “Cooky” Brown, to her side three days after she passed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Mt. Pleasant AME Zion Church, 69 Rowan St., Danbury, CT. The celebration of life service will be held on Saturday February 17, 2024, at 11:00 am at New Hope Baptist Church, 12 Dr. Aaron B Samuels Blvd. Interment will follow at Wooster Cemetery, 20 Ellsworth Ave. A repass will be held at New Hope Baptist Church following the burial.

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