Rose Marie Wansley, 79, of Crystal City died June 12, 2025, in Crystal City. Mrs. Wansley was a church member and mother of New Destiny Ministries in Cahokia Heights, Ill., under the leadership of Bishop James and Lady April Heard. She retired from Mercy Hospital Jefferson. She was a former participant of the American War Mothers. She enjoyed watching cowboy shows, Wheel of Fortune, soaps and PBC documentaries. She loved traveling and spending time with family. She will be remembered for treating others with respect, her generosity, her heart of gold and her favorite expression, “I love more.” Born June 11, 1946, in Crystal City, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Minnie (Cockrell) Brown.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years: Ronald Eugene Wansley of Crystal City; five daughters: Brenda (Freddie) Mayes of Festus, April (James) Heard of St. Louis, Veronica Wansley of Festus, Katherine Moody of De Soto, Texas, and Dena Wansley-Kamon of Crystal City; a special son: Pastor Melvin Rootenic Car-Mo of Monrovia, Liberia; two sisters: Pauline White of Festus and Lillian Tullock of Crystal City; eight grandchildren: D’Antay (Angie Hill) Mayes, Keenan (Becky) Mayes, Bre’Anna Mayes, Kristopher (Khea Griffin) Heard, Amara Heard (Marcus) Stittum, Timothy (Jasmine) Gist, Chelsi Gist and Courtland Rhodes; 16 great-grandchildren: Trenton Mayes, Marley Mayes, Darrion Mayes, Elantra (Matthew) Ellis, Matthew Ellis Jr., Thomas Mayes, Kellan Mayes, Kingston Mayes, Kristopher Heard II, Kenley Heard, Kristian Heard, Kingston Heard, Nyree Gist, Sebastian Gist, Isabella Gist and Emerie Gist; and a great-great-grandchild: Shawn Ellis.
She was preceded in death by five brothers: Sidney Louis Brown, Wayne Brown, Henry Brown Jr., Charles (Mary) Brown and Donald (Marie) Johnson; and two sisters: Ottomese (Joe) Hollis and Charlotte (Benjamin) Evans.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at Mahn Twin City Chapel, 515 Collins Drive, in Festus. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 5, at One Church in Cahokia, Ill., officiated by Pastor James Heard. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Crystal City. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.