Rosa Lee Ryan of Laurel passed away at home on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.
Born in Winston Salem, N.C. on Aug. 16, 1939 to Felix and Middie (Stone) Billings, Rosa Lee graduated from Millsboro High School, class of 1957. A nurturer at heart, she was always on the lookout for those in need. But it was as a loving wife and devoted mother that brought her great joy.
Rosa Lee was an excellent cook and was often in the kitchen trying new recipes. Her love of cooking was evident by anyone who was fortunate enough to have a seat at her table and she made sure the gatherings were many. Chicken tenders and mashed potatoes were just a few of her favorite meals. A skilled baker, Rosa Lee would let her sweet tooth take over during the holidays, baking her famous Christmas fudge, apple sauce cake and fruit cake, sharing all of them with her family and friends, which everyone will miss greatly.
Rosa Lee enjoyed watching the birds that would visit her yard often, hummingbirds in particular, all while enjoying a cup of coffee. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and she hardly met one she couldn’t conquer. More than anything, Rosa Lee treasured time spent with her family, especially her beloved husband. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her memory will continue to inspire and bring comfort to those who were fortunate enough to know and love her.
In addition to her parents, Rosa Lee was predeceased by her foster parents, Harley, and Elsie Moore; and her siblings: Betty Causey, Frank Billings, and James Billings. She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Robert Lee Ryan; her son, Robert Lee Ryan “Roby”, Jr.; her daughters: Rhonda Collins (Dean) of Laurel and Lisa Brown (Glen) of Greenwood; her grandchildren: Jaime Cooper (Scott), Troy Scott, Stephanie Vodvarka, Justin Ryan (Heather), Ryan Hearn (Samantha), and Ricky Brown (Alicia); her great-grandchildren: Shea, Emmy, Rylee, David, Kayleigh, Kole, Torin, Riley, and Kaiden; her foster sister, Dawn Proctor; and her dear friend, Nancy Quillen.
Final care for Rosa Lee has been entrusted to Watson-Yates Funeral Home and Crematorium, a Parsell Family Funeral Home, Seaford.
Please visit Rosa Lee’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at www.watsonyatesfuneralhome.com.