Hilda Braswell Rouse

HILDA ROUSE OBITUARY

On May 11, 2023, surrounded by family, our beloved mother, Hilda Braswell Rouse, peacefully
entered into God's kingdom at age 84.

Hilda was the 11th of thirteen children born to Fred and Roberta Braswell on December 29,
1938, in Wayne County, NC. commonly known as "Sista," Hilda graduated from the Wayne
County Public School System in 1956. Soon after, she met and married John Robert Rouse on
June 14, 1959, whom preceded her in death, and had three children: Patricia Vanessa (deceased)
and Robert.

Later in her adult life, Hilda became a Seventh-Day Adventist and joined Maranatha SDA. She
took on many leadership roles and responsibilities within the SDA church, such as Chairperson
of the J.W. Jackson Adventist Academy School Board, Women's Ministry Leader, and Sabbath
School Teacher. Her willingness to help others drove her to become a Registered Nurse (RN)
where she worked at various medical institutions within Wayne County until her retirement from
Cherry Hospital.

Fueled by the senseless deaths of her daughter, Vanessa, and grandson, Rasean, Hilda immersed
herself in civic matters within Goldsboro and beyond where she most notably served as President

of the Goldsboro/Wayne County Chapter of the NAACP, and even ran for Goldsboro City
Council.

Forever embracing the concept of continued learning, Hilda took college classes at East Carolina
University and eventually earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Shaw
University in May 2000.

Hilda, a spirit-filled believer, lover of basketball and the news, could often be found exegeting
scripture, engaging in debates on current events or Lebron James with anyone that would come
visit.

She is survived by her children, Patricia Sanders (Raleigh, NC) and Robert Rouse (Goldsboro,
NC); four grandchildren, De'Korey Sanders (Grazonté) of Decatur, GA, Takoya Leach of
Raleigh, NC, Raenada Sanders of Charlotte, NC, Roneka Grantham of Goldsboro, NC; one
brother, Fred Braswell (Barbara) of Hiram, GA; and two sisters, Johnnie Bell Lewis of
Goldsboro, NC; and Mary Braswell of Villanova, PA; eight great-granddaughters, and a host of
nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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