Wasco Memorial Park-C-9-C

Obituary

 

Rosetta, our beloved mother and matriarch, was born on October 21, 1937 to Erma Kissine and George Gallardo. She passed away peacefully at home in Wasco on June 24th; surrounded by love from many of her children and grandchildren.

She spent most of her childhood in Oceanside but ultimately the family settled in Wasco, Ca. Rosetta was articulate and excelled in literature and creative writing. She was known by many nicknames including: ROSE, Grandma Rose, SQUANTO and HAMMER (originated by son Darren & grandson Brandon, respectively).

Mama enjoyed concerts and loved a variety of music. We can still remember Boz Scaggs, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker and Helen Baylor playing on the record player. She attended numerous festivals with her favorite musical child, Karen. Her passions were reading and gardening; she had a green thumb and spent much of her time planting, pruning and weeding. Her yard was always manicured and meticulous, thanks to helpful assistance of son Ray and daughter Demetra. She loved scrapbooking! You could always find mama in her favorite chair checking out what was happening in Wasco and cutting newspaper clippings. She was a natural historian and enjoyed collecting national and local news events. Mama took tremendous pride and pleasure in her adult coloring books. You could often find her in deep concentration sharing her talents with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, collecting recipes and organizing everything!! She was an avid collector of frogs and angels. She also enjoyed holiday games and sports. Her favorite teams were Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mama accepted Christ at an early age. She attended True Light Baptist Church and Westside Family Fellowship. In 2012, she moved her membership to Griffith Avenue Baptist Church. She studied the Bible diligently and instilled in her children a solid foundation for Christian values. Her favorite Bible verse is Matthew 5:8, “blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

In addition to raising seven children, Mama worked for Wasco Elementary School District for 37 years as a teachers’ aide. She loved her students and often ran into them throughout town.

Mama was proceeded in death by both parents Erma Kissine and George Gallardo, her second parents: Ima and Leslie Lewis, sisters: Geraldine Rivas, Gwendolyn Lee, Loretta Fennell, two sons: Darren and Sheldon Smith, two step-sons: Andrew and Eddie Ray Smith, son-in-law: Don Hicks and sister-in-law: Erlinda Gallardo.

Mama is the oldest of seventeen children! She is survived by brothers: George and James (Stella) Gallardo, Ronnie (Holly), Jerry and Gerald Mitchell, sisters: Barbara Dancy, Yvonne Butler, Donna Brown, Carolyn Daniely, and Sandra, Deborah, Marlene, and Linda Mitchell, sister-in-law: Bertha Hartney-Debbs. Her children: Ray Harrison (Mary), Marilyn Joseph, Karen Hicks, Andrea Jackson and her baby girl, Demetra Smith her lifelong companion/caregiver, special sons: Mitchell Maxey and Shawn Shugart. She was Grandma Rose to Dameon (Mindy) Harrison, Kristal Hicks, Jerome (Jill) Joseph, Jennifer Joseph, Jarrod (Zikiya) Hicks, Aaron Jackson, Amber Jackson, Shawn Harrison (fiancée Shakira Fleming) Andrea Smith (Pumpkin) and Aaron Hill. She was Mom/Grandma to Brandon (Annie) Gaeta and godmother to Andre Harrison. She held a special place in her heart for her 14 great-grandchildren and special friends: David Fudge, Onva Buller, Sandy Summers, Delores Schulte, Paulette Dodd and Loretta Chappel-Richardson.

The Smith family would like to extend a special thank you to Bakersfield Community Healthcare Hospice for their exceptional care; Jamie, Amanda, Dallas, Sandy, Elias, Teresa, Maria, Juana and Carolyn.

DEATH takes the body

GOD takes the soul

Our MIND holds the memories

Our HEARTS keep the love

Our FAITH lets us know we will meet again!!

Mama, we are always with you and we know you are watching over us!