Rosie Howard was born in St. Louis and was educated in the St. Louis Public Schools system, attending Vashon High School. She married Moses Nichols and three children were born to that union. Rosie Howard was widowed at an early age. She later met and married Nathaniel E. Howard, Sr. To this union seven children were born.
Rosie Howard was a homemaker and caterer. She assisted her husband and worked by his side at Howard’s Barbecue restaurant. She worked diligently in the community through her church and was considered by some to be a life coach. She also enjoyed writing poetry, creating floral arrangements and designing hats.
Rosie was a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church and Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in her adolescence. She later joined Lively Stone Church of God. Rosie moved her membership to San Francisco Temple Complex Christian Assembly Church under the leadership of Bishop Dwight H. McDaniels Jr. and remained a faithful member for over 30 years.
She was very active in church and served on the Nursing Unit, the Bereavement Committee and in the Food Pantry. Much later, she joined Glory Temple Christian Assembly Church under Pastor Joseph T. Merritt where she remained until her death after a lengthy illness.
She departed this life on September 26, 2009 surrounded by her beloved family members and friends at Des Peres Hospital. She leaves to cherish her memory 10 children: Brenda Travis, Sharon Money, Carrol Eddington, Zenobia Adalumo, Cynthia Jubal, Darlies Howard, Nathaniel E. Howard Jr., Keith Howard, Priscilla Colzie and Lamar Howard; two daughter-in-laws, Pearlie Howard and Terrace Howard; two son-in-laws, Darryl Eddington, and Victor Colzie; 16 grandchildren; 14 great grand children; four sisters, five brothers and two brother-in-laws; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.