Rosa Lee Hawes

FUNERAL HOME

H. H. Roberts Mortuary, Inc.

38 S. Gettysburg Avenue

Dayton, Ohio

Rosa Hawes Obituary

Name: Visitation for Rosa Lee Hawes
Start: 2025-07-01T10:30:00.000Z
End: 2025-07-01T12:00:00.000Z
Location: Mt. Pisgah Church

Hawes, Rosa Lee (Jones)

94, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2025, leaving behind a towering legacy of leadership, service, and love. Though small in stature, standing just under five feet tall, Rosa lived a life that stood tall in the face of injustice, inequality, and adversity. Rosa met the love of her life, Frank L. Hawes and they were married for 62 years. Together, they co-founded Hawes Realty, which became one of the largest Black-owned real estate firms in the region, at one time boasting over 30 agents across two offices. Hawes Realty empowered thousands of Black Daytonians to achieve the American dream of homeownership, often in the face of discriminatory practices like redlining and inequitable lending. She held leadership positions in the Dayton Association of Real Estate Brokers and was widely respected as a mentor to generations of professionals. She received many awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year from the University of Dayton's Small Business Development Center and the Outstanding Realtist Award for her commitment and service. Rosa's passing does not leave a void; it leaves a legacy, one defined by purpose-driven work, justice-centered leadership, and unwavering love. She reminded us all that "doing the right thing, even when you have to stand alone" - is more than a motto; it's a mandate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association: Donate In Honor of Rosa Lee (Jones) Hawes, Online: http://act.alz.org/goto/Rosa_Hawes, by Phone: 800.272.3900, by Mail: Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Visitation will be 10:30AM, Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 1 Diamond Ave., Dayton 45403. Followed by 12PM service. Interment Woodland Cemetery. HHRoberts.com

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Published by Dayton Daily News on Jun. 29, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Rosa Hawes

Sponsored by H. H. Roberts Mortuary, Inc..

4 Entries

Ginger

July 10, 2025

May Miss Rosa rest in HeavenShe was a beautiful addition to this world. May all be blessed with Peace, Prayers & Blessings

Ginger (Walnut Creek)

Matthew Miller

July 1, 2025

Rest in Heaven Moma Rosa, you were a Sweet, Kind, and Gentle Lady who never stopped loving her Family, mentoring and tutoring young Men and Women and always fighting for your Culture and Civil Rights for all. You will be missed and I am so glad God allowed you to pour into me and be a part of my Life. Much Love and Blessings to the Hawes and Jones Families

The Miller's , Matthew and Marilyn Miller-Lewis

Vanessa Ward

July 1, 2025

I am forever grateful for the contribution and legacy of Mrs. Rosa Hawes. May God continue to bless and keep her family.

Jill Willingham

July 1, 2025

Mrs Rosa Jones Hawes was truly one of a kind-a powerhouse wrapped in less than five feet of grace, strength, and purpose. She poured into me not just as a mentor, but as family. Working alongside her, I didn´t just learn real estate-I learned life.

She had a gift for teaching, and she never took shortcuts. She would sit with me and go line by line through every real estate contract until I fully understood. And she didn´t stop there. She brought me to every client appointment-not because she had to, but because she wanted me to truly learn the business the right way. For her, it wasn´t just a job-it was about people, about legacy, about integrity, and doing things with excellence.

But what made Ms. Rosa unforgettable wasn´t just her professionalism-it was her heart. She and her daughter hosted my bridal shower, and that meant the world to me. Their kindness and warmth made you feel special, supported, and deeply loved. They lived with intention-extremely health-conscious, thoughtful, always uplifting.

I´ll never forget visiting her home out at Lakengren. After we´d eat, she´d insist on a walk around the house-always full of energy and joy, always with a spark in her eyes. She had a zest for life and a light that shined bright in everything she did.

Mrs Hawes was a soul to be remembered and a woman to be deeply respected. She taught with purpose, loved without condition, and lived with joy that inspired everyone around her. I´m so grateful to have known her, to have learned from her, and to carry a piece of her legacy forward. Her life was a gift to so many, and her spirit lives on in every life she touched.

Rest Well Mrs Hawes
May the Hawes family be wrapped in peace and comfort during this time. May the warmth of her legacy and the love she gave so freely continue to bless and strengthen you in the days ahead.

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