Rosena A. Eggleston Harden

Rosena A. Eggleston Harden was born the 6th child of the late Bishop George L. and Pauline Mitchell Eggleston, on December 18, 1944.  She transitioned from labor to reward, on April 20, 2024.  Growing up in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, she matriculated through the public school system, graduating from the S. Horace Scott Senior High School in 1962.  In that same year, she relocated to Bridgeport Ct. to attend and graduate from a Technical Trade School as a PBX Switchboard Operator.  As a life learner, she would also graduate from Grace Bible Institute in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.  She was also bi-lingual as she spoke fluent Pig Latin.

As a young girl, Rosena loved to immerse herself in reading.  She was a wiz at math and meticulous in record keeping.  These loves aided her as she worked in a myriad of employment venues over her lifetime including Coatesville Head Start, National Liberty, Luken’s Steel Mill, and the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) from which she retired at the wonderful age of 49.  As a result of her love for children, their proper development and safety; upon retirement, Rosena returned to working with the Coatesville Head Start, manning her post as a Bus Aide.  She was a member of the Senior Circle travel and knitting club, a member of Brandywine Valley Active Aging - learning Spanish Communication, Beauty For Brokenness Women’s Ministry, Life Study Seminars Woman of New Beginnings, and was a supporter of Surrender All Fresh Manna Women’s Ministry.

As a child, Rosena played various children’s games such as jacks, bat & ball, marbles, pick up sticks, hominy peg, dodge ball, kickball and mother may I, to name a few.  She often played with her siblings in the field at the end of the 900 block of Coates Street, even killing a snake with a bat one day, while everyone else ran away.   In later years, exercising with her mother as they would walk doing their part to take care of their bodies.  She loved jigsaw puzzles and word search puzzles as well.

Rosena was a passionate and consummate traveler, traveling both nationally and internationally.  This love was sparked by her first cross-country trip to the West Coast with her sister Christine and brother-in-law Gene Hyden.  This set a blaze a fever to navigate the world, seeing many of the places that she had read about and saw by way of television.  If there was a mode of transportation smoking, Rosena was traveling on it.  From cruise lines to flights, from cars to buses, she let nothing stand in the way of her opportunity to enjoy this passion.

Rosena stood on this personal doctrine and credo:  No business would make extra financial compensation off of her.  Believe me when I tell you, she worked tirelessly to ensure that they did not.  She was a business maven.  Her commitment to paying minimal interest was shown in her dedication to always be at least nine (9) months ahead on car payments and the like.  She would negotiate skillfully and tactfully especially in these purchases, going back over with a fine tooth comb all of the small print of the contract ultimately finding out that she had been overcharged through overinflated pricing.  She would return the vehicle, providing proof of the over-inflated price, not only would she leave with the desired vehicle, but also with the check from what the dealership owed her.  Rosena was also a fierce defender of her family.  One dare not cross the boundary of family space, time, or integrity without facing the wrath that was sure to come.  If she didn’t like something that was going on, she would always say: “I’m writing them a letter.”  She always wanted to make sure that a great book was written and published concerning the many exploits of her father.  She truly loved her family.

Rosena was born and raised in the Church.  Her spiritual walk began with her family as members of the First Apostle Fire Baptized Holiness Church (FBH).  Under the unction of the Holy Spirit, in 1956 her father received a calling to the pastorate establishing the New Hope Glad Tiding Church of God, Inc.  Here she continued her membership for the remainder of her Christian walk.  As the pastor’s daughter, she worked in every capacity within the ministry with the exception of musician, although she was capable.  Rosena was a Bible scholar in her own right.  Her capacity to recall and recite Scripture was unparalleled.  If someone initiated a verse, without doubt and with few exceptions, she could complete the verse as well as the pre and post-textual Scriptures.  She was a member of the singing group: “The Bell Tones” as well as a songwriter writing songs such as: “Lift Up the Name of Jesus” which was sung regularly by her local church family.

Rosena was predeceased by the father of her children: husband Hoover L. Butler; husband Manrick Cody, Sr., and three siblings: George L. Eggleston, Jr., Evangelist Dorothy Lewis, and Pastor James H. Eggleston.  She is survived by and leaves to cherish her memory: her spouse Leonard D. Harden, Jr.; 4 children which she called “Rosie’s Buds”:  son Kelli A Butler (Dauntell), daughters: Sondra Y. Williams (Samuel), Keesha Y. Butcher, (Leroy), and Keenya Y. Mathis.; fourteen grandchildren who called her “Mom Mom”: RaShonda Gbadamosi, Shakiera Butler, Keenan Butler, Keron Butcher, Justin Mathis (Deborah), Jalon Mathis, Kalli Butler, Kylil Williams, Griff Lockhart, Triston Reeves, Samuel A. Williams, Jr. (Gabriel), Deven Williams (Faith), Stephanie Williams, Seth Vanden-Eeden; fourteen great-grandchildren, who called her “GiGi” or simply Gi”; three brothers: Wesley Eggleston (Joan), Lonnie Eggleston (Sharman), and Bishop Ronnie L Eggleston, I (Tammy); seven sisters: Christine Hyden (Gene), Pastor Dr. Jeannette McNeill  (Cornell), Elese Morton, Lorraine Ward, Marie G.E. Denmark, Vanessa Elliott (James), and Pastor Felicia Eggleston; one sister in-love: Beulah Eargle; one brother in-love: Willie Lewis; her sister-girls: Vanessa Elliott (who affectionately called her “Precious Rose”), Roberta Brannon, Charlotte Parr, Beulah Eargle, Gerry Griffin, Regina Peterson-Legree, Mary Jane Tony and a multitude of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Homegoing services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Second Baptist Worship Center, 857 Lumber Street, Coatesville, Pennsylvania. A viewing with be held from 8:00 AM until 9:45 AM. 

Click here on Saturday, April 27th at 9:45 AM  EST to WATCH THE SERVICE LIVE on Zoom.​

Zoom Meeting ID: 846 9015 0438  Passcode: Wright

Interment will be held at the New Evergreen Cemetery in Coatesville.

Condolences to be read should be faxed to 610-383-7523 or emailed to wrightfuneralsvs@aol.com by Friday, 4:00 PM.  

Flowers may be sent to the church on the day of the service. The flower theme colors are pastel pink and pastel blue.

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