Rosetta Jacqueline Moore Sanders, also known as Rose, was born on December 30/31 (discrepancies in records documented December 31 initially but was officially changed to December 30), 1931 in Green Cove Springs, Florida to Corine and Charles Moore. She was the fifth of six children. She grew up in a Christian home with high expectations. Rosetta had 3 brothers: two older than her - Walter, Charles and Fred who was younger than her; She also had 2 older sisters - Vivian and Evelyn.  She spent her childhood years in Brunswick, GA. Her family attended First African Baptist Church, where she was baptized as a baby, but she made the decision to follow Jesus at age 12. As a child, she was a Girl Scout, learned how to swim at 7 yrs old, ride a bike at 8 yrs old and her mother taught her how to sew at 10 yrs old.  As a child she and Charles were “partners in crime.”  She attended Risley High School where she was on the basketball and track teams. She competed in the 50-yard dash, 80-meter hurdles and the high jump.  When she was in high school she wanted to be a fashion designer because of her love of sewing and designing her outfits.  After graduating from High School she went to Chicago to live with her sister Evelyn where she got a job cutting threads off finished garments.

Rosetta started playing the piano in third or fourth grade and continued with lessons until 10th grade.  Rosetta continued to play the piano into her late early 90s.  Her favorite desserts growing up were homemade ice cream (peach), and pies (blackberry, fresh peach pie, and raisin). 

Her family moved to Lakeland, FL in June 1949. In fall, 1949, She attended Dillard University where her brother Charles was enrolled. She initially majored in biology but was strongly persuaded by her father to change to elementary education (to ensure that she always had a job). At Dillard, she was President of the Debating Team, the Dormitory Council and the YWCA.  She was also a member of  the college choir and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  She graduated “cum laude”, 6th in a class of 66 students; class of 1953.

She was awarded a full paid Ford Foundation Scholarship to Harvard University where she studied from Sept ’53 - Aug ’54 and earned a MS in Education. Rosetta’s teaching experience ranged from grades 2 through 9, inclusively. She had two requirement for her scholarship to Harvard:  give two seminars at Harvard and teach in New Orleans, LA for one year after she graduated (she taught 7th grade).  In the summer of 1959 she attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY on a National Science Foundation grant. 

While in graduate school at Harvard she met her future husband at a family friend’s home. She said he was a “delightful change from the egocentric college boys.” While they were dating they went on a double date with Martin Luther King, Jr. (who stayed with a family friend while at Boston University) and his wife Coretta. Rosetta and Ernest Johnson, Jr (deceased) were married in June 1955 and were blessed with two daughters - Karen Larise Johnson-Young (Johnson) and Jacqueline Dianne Sherrod (Johnson). Rosetta, motivated her daughters towards success in their chosen career fields, and was an excellent role model.

In 1983 she married Embra Sanders (deceased). Together they were faithful members of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Cambridge, MA where Rosetta was in the choir, facilitated Women’s Day, taught Sunday school, and later served as the Superintendent of the Saturday School for a few years.  

Rosetta’s professional activities included Pioneer of the Black Educators and Teacher’s Association of Massachusetts; President of the Newton Teacher’s Association; member of the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Teacher’s Association and member of the Board of the National Education Association (NEA) Directors. The latter of which she represented at the World Confederation of Teachers in Brasilia, Brazil, in 1979.  She also participated in a protest in Washington, D.C. related to education.  Her teaching career lasted for 35 years.

After retiring in 1994, Rosetta and Embra relocated to Lakeland, FL where she volunteered to teach single mothers who were studying for their G.E.D. and she tutored at a homeless shelter.  They moved to Knoxville, TN in 2004 to be closer to her daughter, Jacqui.  She was active for several years in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; volunteered at the Fountain City library; and was a long-time member of The Word of God church, where she also led Sunday School and played the piano every Sunday. 

In December, Rosetta, moved to a new home, where she celebrated her 93rd birthday with new friends and family.  She enjoyed listening to guest musicians; attending church service; participating in other resident’s birthday celebrations, including playing beer pong (without the beer); and watching movies and eating popcorn.

She departed this life on March 12, 2025 and is survived by her younger brother Frederick D. Moore (& wife Sharon Moore), two daughters, Karen L. Johnson-Young (& husband Duncan W. Young), Dr. Jacqueline D. Sherrod (& husband Robert H. Sherrod); three grandchildren, Martin H. Foster, Leia L. Hayes and Aurielle C. Fitzgerald; and seven great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. 

 

Rosetta’s favorite advice: 

   Give life your best, and the best usually comes back to you

   Do something special just for you every now and then

   Try not to offend someone intentionally

   Don’t hold grudges and don’t let the sun go down on your wrath because it will eat away at your spirit and steal your joy

   Love yourself

   Pray

 

To make a donation in "Honor/Memory of Mrs. Rosetta Jacqueline Moore Sanders"

Please visit our website: https://www.dillard.edu/give/ 

Under Designation, please designate your gift to the College of Arts & Sciences or Dillard University Choir

Check the box under "Tribute Gift"  and next to "This gift is" select "In memory of" and write in her name - Rosetta Jacqueline Moore Sanders.