Rosa Matthews Hofler, affectionately known as “Rose,” was born in Gates, N.C., to the late Deacon Jesse James Mathews and Deaconess Stella Knight Matthews. She departed this life on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at Autumn Care Home in Suffolk.

She was educated in the Gates County School System. After graduation form Buckland High School in 1953, she continued her education in pre-nursing at Virginia State College in Norfolk and Hampton University.

In 1956, Rose relocated to Waterbury, Conn., where she met the love of her life, James Hofler.

Rose joined Zion Baptist Church in Waterbury and was very active for many years.

Deaconess Hofler was very active with the National Baptist Deacons Convention of America Inc. and its Auxiliaries since 1975.

Deaconess Hofler enjoyed her retirement from St. Mary’s Hospital Operating Room Department after 30 years as a surgical schedule coordinator.

She leaves to cherish fond memories her devoted daughter, Vallrie, and her husband, Kearney Freeman, of Suffolk; the apple of her eyes, her three grandchildren, DeVaughn Freeman, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Kamilia “Kim” Spence (Brien) and Krysten Bennett (Nicholas); two great-grandchildren she adored, Kamerien Spence and Kaddienne Rose Bennett, all of Chesapeake; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, at 11 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Gates, N.C. Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, from 1 to 7 p.m., with family gathering from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Hunter’s Funeral Home, 701 Highway 158 W., Gates, NC 27937; 252-3357-3130; www.huntersfuneralhome.com.