Rosa was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on April 9, 1921; her parents were the late Marion and Frances Hibler Guest. She graduated from Douglas High School in Ardmore at the young age of 14 and later received her Bachelor's degree at the age of 19 in Physical Education from Prairie View College in Texas, where she also played on the basketball team. Rosa later started her master's degree program in Physical education at Colorado State College of Education, in Greely, Colorado, but moved on to receive her Masters of Social work (MSW) from the University of Oklahoma.

At a very early age, upon professing a belief in Christ and accepting Him as her personal Savior, Rosa joined Corinth Baptist Church in Ardmore. She moved to Muskogee, OK and married the late Ned Elliott, Jr., and became a member of First Baptist Church, the Elliott family church, where she was a loyal member until her death, last Friday, January 5, 2018. One daughter, Deborah Elliott Gunter was born of this union.  She later married the late Mitchell D. Willis; a son, Mitchell Donald Willis was born of this union.

Rosa worked 45 years for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in the Court Related and Community Services (CRCS) Department as the Assistant District Supervisor. She was also a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and belonged to the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).  Rosa Willis was a member of the Muskogee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for over 65 years, where she served as President and several other positions.  In her spare time, she loved to travel with her family, read, exercise, study politics, and spoil her grand and great grandchildren.

Rosa leaves to cherish her memory, a son, Mitchell Donald Willis, MSW of Topeka, KS; a daughter, Dr. Deborah Elliott Gunter of Coon Rapids, MN; 5 grandchildren – Brad (Jeanna), Chris, Brandon, Brian (Sarah) and Ryan Gunter (Jasmin); 4 great grandchildren – Miyah, Gabby, Thompson and Roman Gunter; several nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends, which will miss her dearly.

A Home Going Service is scheduled Thursday, January 11, 2018, 11:00 a.m., Precious Memories Chapel, 2200 Military Blvd., Muskogee, OK.  Interment will follow in Ft. Gibson National Cemetery, Ft. Gibson, OK.

Visitation will be Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home & Cremations.