Retha Jewsome's Obituary
Retha M. Jewsome, 85, formerly of Chattanooga, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025 in Mississippi Valley Health Care in Keokuk, Iowa. She was born on October 20, 1939 to the union of John Rollins and Cassie Mae (Williams) Rollins in Zellwood, Florida.
Retha was educated in the Zellwood, Florida Public Schools. She was united in marriage to James Jewsome who also preceded her in death. By being married to a military man they traveled throughout many states.
Retha was a personnel clerk at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Topeka, Kansas until she retired. She was a devoted christian woman and was a member of the True Holiness Family Church under the leadership of Bishop Theodis Williams. She was a minister and took great pleasures in serving the Lord and her church. She ministered and served in Africa, Guatemala and Israel and area churches in Topeka.
Retha was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Leedel Rollins, Playthel Rollins, and Johnnie Rollins; son, James V. Jewsome; and daughter, Karen Redden. Retha was a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She enjoyed spending quality time with her family.
She leaves to cherish her memory, sons, Ricky Pollock, Clyde Pollock, Jr., Jeffrey Jewsome (Lisa), Aaron Jewsome, and Frederick Jewsome (Keely); daughter, Janice Jewsome; sister, Evelyn Norwood (BW); grandchildren, Samuel Jewsome (Kat), Shaniece Garlington (Zondi), Shanelle Brown (Brandon), Steven Jewsome, Clyde Pollock III, Asaph Jewsome, Enoch Jewsome, Nazareth Jewsome, Joshua Jewsome, Joe Jenkins, Bethany Bennett, Garrett Jewsome, and Jordin Jewsome twenty-five great-grandchildren; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins other relatives and friends.
Retha will lie-in-state on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 6-7 p.m. at Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel, 1800 East Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64109. Funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel. She will also lie-in-state on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 9 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Retha?
What’s a lesson you learned from Retha?
Share a story where Retha's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Retha you’ll never forget.
How did Retha make you smile?