Rosie Samuel

Sister Rosie Lee Samuel passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2025, at Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock, AR. She was born on July 22, 1945, in Strong, AR, to Issac McAlphin and Carrie Mae Jameson. She was the 2nd of 13 children. She married the love of her life, Van Lee Samuel, on November 26, 1958. Two children were born to the union. Mary Joyce Lee (Raven) and Carolyn Samuel-Carter (Kenetria (Efrem) (Alex). Later, four children in love were added to the family. Rhonda Santiago (Orlando), Kera Bullard (Ryan), Cedric Samuel, and Rickey Middleton (Hannah). They were foster parents for 10 years, and they chose to add these beautiful children to the family. Many children came into our lives over the years, and because of that, our family was thoroughly enriched.

Sister Rosie truly devoted her life to service. She joined Saint Luke under Rev Curtis Rhodes. She served anywhere she was needed. She served on the finance committee; she also served on the kitchen committee, and she was later known as the Pie Lady. She was a good cook. She gave great sound advice. She could make you feel like you were the most important person in the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Issac and Carrie Mae McAlphin, her husband Van Lee Samuel, her daughter Carolyn Samuel-Carter, and her siblings Roy Lee McAlphin, Carrie Louise McAlphin, Pearline Richardson, James McAlphin, Lewis McAlphin, Issac McAlphin, John McAlphin, Earleane McAlphin, and Eula Mae Hegler. She is survived by Charles McAlphin, Travis McAlphin, Mary Dean McAlphin, 10 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Two special nieces, Rita Johnson and Mary Davis, a bounty of nieces and nephews, and a host of friends that she met along the way.

Sister Rosie was truly the glue that held this family together. She knew the family history. If you needed a listening ear, she was there. She never judged. She had a vast knowledge. She will be missed.