RoseAna Isaacs

RoseAna Elisa Isaacs was born at Fort Benning, Georgia, to the union of DeRoy and the late Ana Herrera Smith on September 28, 1982. Throughout her life, she embraced joy and fun, something that was shown through her love for family, good times with them, and laughter. An avid reader, RoseAna’s books covered a range of categories. At the top of her reading list was The Bible which she read passionately having given her life to Christ at an early age. She was baptized at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and spoke often of her relationship with the Lord. RoseAna travelled extensively with her military family. She lived and went to school at Fort Benning, Georgia; Heidelberg, Germany; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and Fort Meade, Maryland. The entire family moved to Detroit, Michigan, DeRoy’s hometown, after his retirement from the Army in 1998. She graduated from Detroit’s esteemed Renaissance High School as a member of the class of 2000. She went on to attend Michigan State University where she earned double bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminal justice. RoseAna married the love of her life, Sydney Isaacs, June 20, 2009, in Destin, Florida. After moving to Marietta, GA, she began working at the Department of Family and Children’s Services within Cobb County, GA. The marriage produced three beautiful daughters: Ana, Elise, and Grace. She often expressed motherhood as being one of her greatest achievements, and she adored her babies. She transitioned from social work to motherhood and spent several years raising her kids while volunteering in the community and pursuing a passion in photography. RoseAna kept her girls busy with church, library trips, and many extracurricular activities in order to give them well-rounded lives. That wide agenda included having them do fun things, such as cartwheels. A “researcher” when it came to food, she would have the girls eat something healthy—bananas or oranges, for example-- while they were in the grocery store—and happily pay for it when shopping was done since it meant they were learning what good snacks could be. She also liked to take it easy. She loved fishing and hanging out by a stream with the kids. Musically, she was a fan of Sade while her comedy king was Martin Lawrence. RoseAna shared a deep bond with her father, one that grew stronger after the passing of her mother, Ana, and her brother, Nkosane (Drew) Andrew Smith Sr. And she was known for inserting into conversations some of the memorable lines created by her mother; she delivered them humorously using her version of Ana’s combination of Spanish and English. This was a woman who enjoyed watching children learn--her own three daughters as well as other children who were part of her personal or professional life. Her last employment was as a Green Acres Elementary paraprofessional where she was affectionately known as Ms. Rosie. RoseAna’s life work supported her nature to be kind and loving to children. RoseAna passed away peacefully on March 9, 2024. She is survived by parents Donna and DeRoy Smith; siblings Eduard Phillips, Sandra Phillips, and Stalin Cordoba (Kimberli); in-laws Jannett, Everton (Tiffany), Danny (Rachael), Christina, Barry; her aunt Deborah Smith Pollard (Basil) and uncle DeLyle Smith; nieces Jasmine Phillips, Jasmine Smith, Alessandra, Aniyah, Alyssa, and Korina; and nephews Stalin Jr, Elijah, Nkosane Jr, Anthony, Aiden, Arlington, and Owen. RoseAna leaves behind many more aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends who loved and supported her joyous life’s journey.