THE TIGER AND THE TORCH look book

“DON’T EVER THINK I FELL FOR YOU, OR FELL OVER YOU.
I DIDN’T FALL IN LOVE, I ROSE IN IT.” 56
TONI MORRISON
Rosa very much enjoyed being close to family. She built her house next to her inlaws
and across the yard from her sister, Verna, and brother-in-law, Nathan
Holmes. She also possessed a strong desire and skill to keep track of what was
happening within the Black community of Christiansburg, VA. She made it a
point to stay connected to her extended family and friends with cards, letters,
phone calls, amazing sour cream pound cakes and constantly going places
throughout the United States. Ironically though, she never learned how to drive
a car.
She graduated from Virginia State College with a Bachelor of Science degree on
May 28, 1956. She completed some coursework for her Master of Science
degree, but was so homesick she did not finish her degree. She immediately
returned to Cambria, VA 57 which later became part of Christiansburg, VA, and
began teaching the Colored Harris Hart Elementary School in Floyd County, VA. 58
Rosa’s career also spanned decades. She was a devoted sister, aunt, wife, sisterin-law,
teacher, church member, embroiderer, quilter, award-winning African
violet grower and community volunteer. Throughout her life, she spent much of
the day reading and preparing for her next Bible study or community event.
As she would come across interesting things in the newspaper, she would cut
out the articles, date them and put them in a scrapbook. She was very mindful
of what she chose. Much of the Holmes’ family history is from her scrapbooks.
Some of her other pictures are part of various books such as Images of America:
Christiansburg 59 and part of local exhibits and digital archives at Virginia Tech. 60
Her multiple volumes contain every card and letter written while Zimri was in
the US Army. She kept just about every program from a special event she
attended. The collection also contained obituaries, photos of the family and
places where she taught and visited.
Each day we have the opportunity to pursue additional knowledge. We choose
the people and situations from which we learn. Experience can be a teacher as
well; however, sometimes it is only in hindsight that we master the lessons. It is
through our daily choices that we set the tone for our lives.
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