Obituary of Rosa Mae McSwain

Rosa Mae, affectionately known as "Rosie," by her friends and family, was born on March 1, 1956 to Johnny & Maggie Merchant in Birmingham, Alabama. At the age of 8, Rosa moved with her family to Long Beach, NY, where she attended Long Beach City schools. Always setting high goals for herself, She excelled in her studies and extracurricular activities, including cheerleading, softball, and track and field. Rosa received her high school diploma from Long Beach High School at the age of 16. While in high school, Rosa met her soulmate, John Washington McSwain Jr., and from that moment on, they were inseparable. On May 31, 1972, she gave birth to their first child, LaTonya. Five years later, on October 29, 1977, they joined in holy matrimony in front of a host of family and friends. In 1980, John and Rosa moved to Massapequa, New York where they purchased their family home. Settling in, their family expanded with the birth of two more daughters, Jessica Nicole, on March 25, 1984, and Erika Lynn, on February 19, 1986. Rosa's first job was employment with Nassau County Department of Finance. She later went on to pursue a career as an insurance agent. Her first position was with State Farm, where she worked for ten years. While maintaining her career, Rosa was able to open a beauty salon alongside her sister, Beverly, called Nubian Sisters Hair Design. In 2000, Rosa purchased Amity Insurance Agency from the Late Mr. Vernon Walter. She continued to expand her business over the next 16 years, providing her customers with invaluable service. While maintaining her own company, Rosa continued to work with other agencies throughout Long Island. Rosa accepted Christ at a very young age, first as a member of Christian Light Baptist Church, Long Beach, NY, where she served as a member of the House Rockers Choir. Rosa and John later joined fellowship with Shiloh Baptist Church in Rockville Centre, NY. Once they moved to Massapequa, they were invited by their neighbors to visit Bethel A.M.E. Church in Copiague, NY which they later joined, and have been faithful members ever since. Rosa was always a very caring and loving person who always placed the needs of others before herself. She was encouraging of all of her children's aspirations, and provided whatever resources they needed to make sure their needs and desires were met. Rosa faced every adversity with nothing but positivity. The way she lived is the way she died. She was greatly loved and she will be sorely missed by all who came to know her. On June 08, 2016, Rosa went home, to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her loving Father, Johnny Merchant and brother, Levi Pair. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, John Washington McSwain Jr., her three daughters, LaTonya Jimenez(Carlos Jimenez), Jessica Reed(Charles Reed), and Erika McSwain; four grandchildren, Amaya Jimenez, Natalia Jimenez, Elijah Summers, and Iyana Reed; her Mother, Maggie Merchant; ten siblings, Helen Matthews, Cleveland Draine, Jonnie Potter, Mary Jones (Rogers), Diane Merchant, Loretta Kelly (Kenny), Sammy Merchant (CaSandra), Beverly Merchant-Cook (Martin), John (Punky) Merchant, and Beatrice Merchant. Godchildren, Destiny Wise, Yami Uter, and Kayla Runge; and a host of other relatives, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.