Rosa Marie Newsome Saulsby to celebrate her 86th birthday
By Staff Writer
Ms. Rosa had been coming to Fort Lauderdale all of her life with her parents, George and Hattie Newsom, to harvest the crops (tomatoes, string beans and garvers to make jelly) on her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles King’s farm.
Being a part of a large family, 10 children, they all had to help the family where needed. At that time her grandparents lived on Northwest 13th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.
Rosa was the second oldest child and therefore was expected to shoulder a lot of the responsibility of doing most of the work. Not only did she work in the fields, she had to help sell the vegetables and jelly on Sixth Street (Sistrunk Boulevard) which was not paved at the time.
After getting married at a young age she returned to Fort Lauderdale to live. Rosa fondly remembers joining the church.
“I joined Mount Olive Baptist Church on Sunday, April 22, 1951 under the leadership of Reverend Robert H. Lee. I sung my first song at Mount Olive on the first Sunday in May 1951 with Choir #1. The musicians at that time were Mrs. Alma Lewis and Mrs. Ruth Jones and later under the direction of Dr. Alfred Pinkston who served for 45 years.”
Since that time The New Mount Olive has had many musicians who have served the church.
The current Minister of Music is Minister Eddie A. Robinson who has served 14 years.
Upon the death of Reverend Lee, Rev. James Montgomery and Rev. Henry Smith carried the church until Reverend George E. Weaver was called to pastor in 1962.
Reverend Weaver remained at the church for twenty years and he also help to built The New Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Following Reverend Weaver, the church called Dr. Mack King Carter who remained there for twenty seven years. Ms. Rosa now serves under Dr. Marcus D. Davidson who was called to New Mount Olive in 2010.
Ms. Rosa is the proud mother of five children, eight grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
She says in a melodic tone, “Thanks be to God I have been singing in the choir for 62 years. I am now the longest serving member of all the choirs at New Mount Olive. On June 14, 2013, I will be 86 years old and plan to continue to do the Lord’s work until He calls me home.”
To God Be The Glory!!!!!!
