Rosia Kolbs

Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted - Matthew 5:4

Rosia Mae (Butler) Kolbs, affectionately called "Rose", departed this world on August 12, 2025. Ask not, how she died, but how she lived.

Rosia was the eldest of three children born to the late Emmett and Lillie Pearl Butler (nee Skanes), on June 8th, 1949, in Luverne, AL. She graduated from Woodford Avenue High School (now Luverne H.S.) in 1968. Rosia soon married the late Lee F. Pease. From this union, three beautiful daughters were born. In 1973, believing and trusting God for better, she relocated with her three young daughters to Canton, OH. She attended Malone College (now University) and worked various jobs simultaneously to support her family, which welcomed her only son, Kristopher, in 1984. With her plate being this full, she still was available to serve on her children's school PTA/PTO Board, serve as classroom mother, and volunteer at Frazer and Taft Elementary School. Rose was also a TOP CHEF, before TOP CHEF became a TV show. You could not have grown up in Rainbow Acres/Chip Townhouses in the 70s,80s, or early 90s, without having been fed by "Ms. Pease". Rose also loved fishing and gardening.

Through all her stages in life, Rosia walked hand-in-hand with the Lord. She was a prayer warrior and an avid Bible student. Having been a member of St. James AME, Massillon, OH, James S. Thomas UMC, Canton, OH, and her final church home Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Canton, OH, she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Instructor, chaired various programs, and served faithfully on numerous auxiliaries and committees. No matter what capacity or title she worked under, Rose believed in the power of prayer until her very last minute on this side of Heaven. She knew the Lord and now the Lord has graciously, with open arms, welcomed HIS daughter home.

Rosia was preceded in death by her husband Willie Mack Kolbs, brothers James E. Butler, Willie Ben Butler, and Ray Charles Davis, granddaughters Shanica Renee and Crystiana Rose and bonus grandsons Avonte Williams and William "Oompa" Varner.

She is survived by her daughters Yolanda Y. Pease-Brown (OH), Tammie Pease (FL), LaTonya Williams (NC), and son Kristopher (Tonya) McClain (FL), grandchildren Antwon, Valicia, Steven Jr., Gavin, Marquis, Kalea, Franklin, Sydne, Mykal, Melquana, and Ta'Shiyah, bonus grandchildren Monique, Michael, Anton, and Tyrell, and 27 great grandchildren.

She also leaves her only sister, Mary H. Sales of Canton, OH, aunts Mary Sims and Rosa Scott of Massillon, OH, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

As a family, we will mourn in private. God bless you all for understanding.

If you loved Rosia, and wish to honor her, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING and learn more about Vascular Dementia and donate to: www.dementiasociety.org