On February 6, 2025, God in His infinite wisdom chose to call His beloved daughter Rosa Ware into eternal rest after 90 years of life. She was born on July 25, 1934, in Hopkinsville, to Rev. Allen Douglas McCombs and Mary Shelton McCombs.
Rosa was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many. She was known for her giving heart, her love for the Lord, her kindness, and her unlimited support for family and friends. She was also a loyal, loving caregiver to her mother Mary Etta Shelton McCombs.
She attended Attucks High School. She was employed as a cook at the Senior Center for numerous years. She also worked for Model Cleaners and Henninger Funeral Home of Hopkinsville, KY.
Her greatest joy in life was her family and cooking for them thrilled her to the utmost. She loved to be surrounded by her family and watch Gunsmoke, The Young and the Restless, Little House on the Prairie, and The Waltons. She had a big heart and cared for those less fortunate. She regularly made donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the Disabled Veterans Fund.
Rosa Lee was preceded in death by her first husband, James Dunbar, Sr. and she later united in holy matrimony to Terry “Ted” Ware Sr. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Rev A.D. and Mary McCombs; her spouse, Terry “Ted” Ware; children, James Ray Ware, Dolly Ware Davie, McKinley Ware, and Barbara Coates; and one daughter in love, Betty Sivils. Two siblings also preceded her in death, Walter McCombs, Sr., and Mary Bob Dillard.
She enjoyed many hobbies such as cooking, sewing, fishing, going to yard sales, and reading the newspaper. She embraced every opportunity to celebrate beauty and grace which involved painting her nails and relishing the moments of being pampered by her loved ones.
Rosa Lee leaves behind to cherish her memory eleven children; Linda Sivils Cheeks, Rev. James (Frances) Dunbar, Carl (Carolyn) Sivils, David Keith Sivils, Warren Michigan, Beverly Jean Eddy, Calvin Ware, Estherlene Ware Cruite, Monica Ware, Sherry Ware Caldwell, Betty Ware, and Eleanor Ware-Torian; all of Hopkinsville, KY. Stepchildren, Elna Pearl (Donald) Pease, Terry Ware, Jr., Patricia Diane (Marcus) Newton, Jerry (Carla) Ware, and James Matlock; Brother, Henry McCombs; 21 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends; Special Cousin, Quincetta Henry; Childhood Friend, Betty Hardy; and a loving sister-in-law, Betsy Lee (Willie) White.
Gamble Funeral Home in Hopkinsville is in charge of the arrangements.
Funeral services will be on Monday, February 17, 2025, at noon at the Durrett Avenue Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.
Visitation will begin Monday morning at 11:00.
