Rosita L. Byrd was born on September 30, 1965, and she suddenly departed this life from labor to reward on April 14, 2025 to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  She was the seventh child of the late Naomi and James Byrd.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Rita; and brothers, Jerome and Carl Byrd.

Rosita was educated in the Richmond Public Schools System and graduated from the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center in June of 1987. In 1989 she went to work as a Data Entry Clerk for the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center until they closed.

Rosita accepted Christ and was baptized at Fourth Baptist Church in November 1990 by the late Dr. Leonidas Young, she later transferred her membership to New Kingdom Christian Ministries.

At an early age Rosita became a staunch advocate for herself and others navigating this world with a physical disability.  She was an active member of the Virginia Board of Disabilities and Voices of Virginia.

Through her work with these organizations Rosita worked with Governor Douglas L. Wilder, and various other state agencies in the expansion of consumer directed personal care services to urban areas.

She trained family members and others to navigate the system which resulted in Rosita playing a key role in the development of Support Coordinators Ltd., a Medicaid approved service provider for care coordination.  This service made it possible to allow individuals in a health crisis or diagnosed with physical disabilities to remain in their home and avoid institutionalizations. Rosita herself although experienced many obstacles in daily living was able to successfully live in the community at the Hollybrook Apartments for 31 years independently.

Rosita loved to travel, fine dining and shopping.  She was known as a Sneaker Head as her favorite hobby was collecting the newest or popular sneakers on the market. Rosita was an active member of Sheltering Arms Club Rec where she continued her activities of traveling, fine dining and participation yearly with the Anthem Lemon aid fundraiser and numerous other volunteer activities serving the community.

Rosita will be remembered and loved by her family: brothers, James Byrd (Patricia Winston), and Lawrence Byrd; one sister, Lydia Byrd; nieces, April Byrd, Tamika Lawrence and Terri Wimbush; nephews, Sherard Jackson, Carl Byrd Jr. and Lamont Watkins. She also leaves behind a host of great nieces, nephews and devoted cousins.

Funeral services can be viewed online by selecting the "View Funeral Webcast" link below on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

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