Rosa Beatrice Desure, 77, a native of Starke, who lived in Tampa, and was the daughter of the late Leo Sr. & Beatrice Tyson-DeSue, submitted to the Will of God on Sunday, Oct.18, 2026 while at Tampa General Hospital. A 1967 graduate of RJE High School, Starke, she later attended Bethune-Cookman College (now University) where she pursued her Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. She was an underwriter with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for many years before retiring. She was very active in evangelism and teaching and Senior Ministries at New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and Rivers of Life Change Ministries.
Left to continue to honor her legacy are her children, Trellis A. Thomas, Letesia M. (Pastor William) Nettles Sr., Curtis H. Thomas III and Kendrick T. (Tania) Thomas; brother, Damon DeSue Sr.; sister, Issibelle Smith; grandchildren, Ashley Foxworth, Erika Williams, Lekesia Nettles King, Tyree Jones, Alyssa (Michael) Powell, Briana Nettles, Kamilah Thomas, William Nettles II and Dailen Thomas; great-grandchildren, Jamal, Jamel, Tristen, Christopher “C.J.”, Jordan, Journey, Lyric, Nova, Niea, TiNiyah, Tyree’ Jr. and Armani.
Initial arrangements are entrusted to Aikens Funeral Home, 2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Tampa, where Ms. DeSue will be viewed on Friday, Nov. 6, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Homegoing Celebration will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Pleasant Grove Community Church, Starke where Pastor Carl Tyson Jr. is pastor, with her son-in-law, Pastor William G. Nettles (Life Changers Ministries/Huntsville, AL), bringing words of encouragement. On Saturday, Nov. 7 Ms. DeSue will only be viewed at the church one hour prior to the service. The burial will follow at the DeSue Family Cemetery, Starke.
Final arrangements are Entrusted To: Duncan Brothers’ Funeral Home, 428 NW 8th St., Gainesville.
