Rosa Lee Calton

Rosa Lee Calton, 78, of Commerce, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 after a lengthy illness. She was born on December 5, 1944, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the daughter of James Pippin and Ruby Kennedy Pippin.

Rosa attended Southside High School in Arkansas, graduating with the class of 1963.  Most recently, she worked as a shipping clerk, shipping pagers to various venders. She retired in 2016.  In 1996, she met Joann Vance, her domestic partner, during a trip to Shreveport, Louisiana. They enjoyed twenty-six years of traveling the country, creating many good memories. Rosa spent time creating beautiful ceramic pieces that she enjoyed sharing with her family and friends. She also loved working in the garden. She enjoyed canning vegetables to give to others.

Rosa is survived by her domestic partner, Joann Vance; her brother, Weldon Pippin and wife, Cindy, sister, Ruby Petty, two sons, Michael Calton and Bill Calton, Jr., and wife, Angel, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Rosa is preceded in death by parents, J.W. and Ruby Pippin, and her sister, Julia Hogan.

Serving as pallbearers for Rosa are Zach McGee, Kourtnee Steiner, Kelly Key, Angela Franco, Oscar Unmana, and Chris Pippin.