Rosetta Chatman

The Lord loaned Jesse James and Louise Davis a Daughter, Rosetta Marie Davis on November 20, 1942. Rosetta was baptized at an early age in Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. G. G. Rawls. She attended Schiller Elementary School, Robert A. Waller High School, and Wright Jr. College in Chicago, IL and Career Academy (Medical/Nursing) School. Rosetta united with Sam L. Chatman in holy matrimony on March 17, 1962 by the Rev. G. G. Rawls. To this union, the Lord blessed them with four children, Rita, Marlon and Kyra. Sam and Rosetta lost a baby boy (Lonell) March 28, 1970 at childbirth. Rosetta loved humanity and practiced the laws of the Universe Ancient Egypt: (Maat): Truth, Love, Peace, and Wisdom, (Cosmic Order/Cosmic Balance). Rosetta was an inspiration to all that knew and loved her. As a child, from the years 1950 to 1959 Rosetta was a majorette baton twirler at the Bud Billiken Parade. Her Big Sister and amateur seamstress, Gloria Hendricks always was the one that wore a signature Rosetta 'Gold and Black' outfit at the back-to-school parade. Rosetta was also a champion swimmer and often taught her baby brother Gerald aka Mokey, how to swim like a professional swimmer from the years 1955 to 1958. Rosetta was also inspired as a child to be a USA Olympic Gymnastic Protege from the years 195 0 to 1959. In the 1970's Rosetta was an avid bowler and won several 1st place trophies with her team and as an individual. Also in the 1970's Rosetta played team softball and her sister-in-law, Sue Toby Davis was also on the same team. Their team won several trophies and awards. In the early to late 1990's and early 2000's, Rosetta, along with her daughter Rita began creating and crafting jewelry and novelty designs. Their business name was 'R & R Ancient Egyptian Jewelry and Novelty Designs'. They always looked forward to participating in the major craft show, ‘Celebrate on State Street’. When Rosetta retired from jewelry designing, her daughter continued the business under the new name, ‘Ra Custom Jewelry’. Rosetta loved almost all music genres, such as R&B, Reggae, Blues, Country and even some Hip Hop. Her favorite groups were: Gladys Knights and the Pips, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Emotions, Diana Ross and the Supremes. Her favorite female solo artists were: Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Patsy Cline, Roberta Flack, and Barbara Mason. Her favorite male solo artists were: Johnny Ace, Stevie Wonder, Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, Phillip Bailey, Bob Marley, Marzette Griffith, Gene Chandler, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar. In the late 1960’s Rosetta was an employee for the Social Security Administration in which she was a Documentation Files Specialist. After that, Rosetta wanted to try something different with a Career path and was a LPN/Medical Assistant at Rush St. Lukes Hospital from 1960 to 1974. After Rush St. Lukes Hospital, Rosetta joined Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), as an administrative assistant for the department’s head of general administration. When a merger occurred in the railroad industry that impacted RTA employees in October 1982, she was reassigned to the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (Metra). After working for Metra's head of purchasing, she was transferred to the procurement division as a purchasing assistant in 1987. In 1988, Rosetta was promoted to buyer clerk and then later promoted to senior buyer in 1994. Rosetta was responsible for purchasing computers, equipment, copiers, maintenance contracts, janitorial supplies, safety items, signal equipment, chime houses, signal batteries, train tickets and conductors uniforms for the entire Metra corporation. Rosetta also won the Senior Buyer of the Year award April 2, 1997 through the Minority Business Committee/CMBDC. Rosetta retired from Metra Railroad in August 2005 after thirty years of service. During her retirement years, Rosetta enjoyed watching the soap operas with her Sister Gloria, her daughter Kyra and her granddaughter Ronita. She also enjoyed going on outings at the Hard Rock Cafe with her Son Marlon and her daughter Kyra. Most of all Rosetta loved the Creator/Lord, her family and her fellow Man/Woman. Her memory is cherished by her two daughters: Rita Chatman-Gbadehan (Ade), Kyra Chatman; one son: Marlon Craig Chatman (lllese); one sister, Gloria Hendricks (Roosevelt); seven brothers: Eugene Laurell Davis Sr. (Martha), Donald Davis (Barbara), Jesse James Davis Jr. (RIP}, Raymond Davis (RIP} (Edna Mae), William Gilbert Davis Sr. (RIP} (Waverene) Lawrence Davis (RIP), and Gerald (Mokey) Lloyd Davis (RIP). She also leaves to cherish her in-loves: Lizzie Jefferson, Forest and Bertha Chatman, Sue (Toby) Davis, Marilyn Corkey Dial (RIP} and Sandy Jefferson. Grandchildren: Ronita M. Foulkes, Bradley Chatman, and Mari Noel Chatman; great grandchildren: Kharon A. Edge, Amira Chatman. Fifteen nieces: Christine Marie Cook, Crystal Arrington, Dawn White, Robin Virden, Janette V. Payne, Veleda Davis-Moseley, Linda (Sherri) Davis, Tamara Davis , Keisha Smith-Greenard, Waverene Dial, Deborah Dial, Carol Barnes (RIP), Arlene Davis (RIP), Patricia Davis (RIP) Gilene R. Taylor (RIP). Great nieces: Cheryl (Bee Bee) Bryant, Nickie Davis, Syrita Davis, and Samatha Taylor. Twelve nephews: Gerald (Son) Davis, Michael Hendricks, Eric Davis, Mark Davis, Kevin Davis, Daynan Davis, William (Billy) Davis Jr., Ronald (Little Ronnie) Davis, Willard Taylor, Justin Brasfield, Jermaine Chatman Raymond Davis Jr. (RIP), Glenn Davis (RIP}, Eugene "Chopper"Laurell Davis Jr., (RIP}, Bart Jesse Davis (RIP}, and Bruce Gilbert Davis (RIP}. Great nephews: Emmett Cook, Bryant Cook, Wayne Cook, Kennon Blaine Cook (RIP), TJay Taylor, T Ron Taylor, Crandon Davis, Brandon Floyd Davis, and Ken Dial. Honorary daughters and God daughters: Cynthia C. Stewart, Donna Fuller, Samantha Rachel Chatman, Serena D. Davis, Sharon Butler, Jennifer Butler, Anna Lou Smith, Alisa Brewster, Crystal Green, Dawn Collins, Esther Gilbert, LaTaunja Henderson, NiJonna Edge, and Batavia Choctaw . Honorary sons and God sons: Kevin Gore, Delvin Fuller, Dennis Brady, Kirkland Townsend, Charles (Chuck) Harris, and Khafre Edge. Life-long and Childhood friends and Co-Workers: Daniel Pate, Herschel Montgomery-Scott, Gloria Royston, John Gregory, Ralph Adams, Shirley Young, Stephanie Pryor, Vernon Chatman, Gwen Parks, Lori Lee, Dorothy Easley (RIP}, Lynn Hampton, Raymond Sykes, Hazel Clark, Helen Conrad, Delores Ellison, Barbara Moore, Kym Moore, Angie Morgan, William Barnett, Betty Sherrod, Gwen McCloud, and Mary Juanita Walker (RIP).

Rosetta Chatman

November 20, 1942 - February 11, 2025