Obituary of Rosa Crowell

Rosa Ionell, the eldest daughter of the late Thomas and Alice Smallwood, was born on October 22, 1933 in East Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life on March 15, 2020 with her youngest son Kevin and his wife Carol by her side at Howard County General Hospital in Howard County Maryland. She received her education in Baltimore City Public School System. A graduate from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Maryland and she completed her Degrees in Nursing from Coppin State University. Rosa accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and joined Fountain Baptist Church and stayed a faithful member all her life. Her grandparents joined Fountain Baptist over 100 years ago. Rosa was the first Registered Nurse in the history of her family. She started her 60-year career working at the University of Maryland Emergency Department, then Johns Hopkins Hospital, American Red Cross, she was a Mental Health Supervisor for the State of MD working at Walter P. Carter & Sheppard Pratt with specialty in psychiatric/mental health nursing. Her love of God and people allowed her to stay calm to treat and educate patients, families and physicians that ethical healthcare is needed for people experiencing mental health issues. Rosa taught medication classes for the Maryland State Department of Education allowing her to Certify Day Care Centers and Group Homes keep their licenses to operate a business in Maryland. She taught nursing classes at the Community College of Baltimore County and CCBC Catonsville and finally worked in the Baltimore City school system as a RN serving several elementary and middle schools. In addition to being a Registered Nurse, Rosa had her beautician license. Rosa and her sister Ruth helped their mom Alice purchase a salon where Rosa would volunteer her time at nights and on weekends allowing her family to invest her share of the profits back into family business. In the early days Rosa worked with her sisters Ruth and Barbara at an Ice Cream Parlor in East Baltimore when one day the love of her life Bennie Crowell came in the store for a cool Milkshake after working a 10-hour shift at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point. Bennie and Rosa married on June 4, 1955 and from this marriage two sons were born, Bennie Vincent Jr. and Kevin Christopher her baby and favorite son. Rosa was the President of the Fountain Baptist Church Nursing unit most of her time at Fountain where they provided Free blood pressure screening, they worked with Johns Hopkins Hospital to provide Flu shots, attended Funerals and Church services providing medical care to the church family. Rosa was a true saved woman who believed with God all things are possible. Rosa enjoyed being surrounded by her brothers and sisters at church, home, traveling and cooking a soul food dinner. Rosa always enjoyed Christmas dinner and family reunions at her sister Rita's and her husband June King Home. When Rosa was sick and feeling tired one of her final comments was, I miss going to church serving God & our family gathering. Rosa was the definition of Proverbs 31:10-31 Rosa's late husband Bennie would always quote verbatim Proverbs 31:10-11. "A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Rosa was true saved woman who loved reading her Bible, praying and helping her family, friends and her dogs. Rosa's favorite saying was with God all things are possible. She had faith in all and never judged anyone who did not fit society standards. Rosa leaves to cherish her memory: three sisters, Ruth Mills; Barbara Carter; Rita King (June), two children, Bennie Vincent Crowell, Jr, Kevin Crowell (Carol); one brother-in-law, Percy Dee Crowell (Jewel); one sister-in-law, Mildred Crowell; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.