Rosa Briggs Carraway

Sister Rosa was born and raised in Manning, SC located in Clarendon County to Ben and Irene Walker Briggs. She attended Clarendon County Public Schools. She moved to Hartsville, SC as a young adult. She was the eldest girl of 5 siblings with 3 brothers: Joe, Oscar, and Almont Briggs that preceded her in death. Left to cherish her memory is one loving sister who she adored, Carrie Carraway of Hartsville, SC. They were inseparable, as they raised their kids together. 

 

Rosa grew up working on the farm with her family during the Depression. She was a proud and hard worker. She was known as one of the best field and farm workers. She was employed with Joe and Penn Lawton of The Hartsville Oil Mill for over 30 years. She also worked for The Anthony and Davis Families before retiring. After retirement, she along with her grandchildren owned and operated a cleaning service.

 

Rosa entered into a union with Eddie “Bo” Carraway (who preceded her in death). Rosa had six children, four of which preceded her in death: Betty Ann Briggs, Sandra Carraway, James Bo Briggs, and Eddie Jr. (Dolla) Carraway. 

 

Surviving to cherish her memories are her loving children. She adored her son, Willie “June” (Thyra) Briggs of West Columbia SC and her dedicated caretaker and loving daughter, Barbara Ann Carraway of Hartsville SC; Four Grandchildren who she raised as her own: Glendolyn (Marcus) Smiling of Florence, SC Tiffany (Lyfe) Dudley of Charlotte, NC , Kasey Carraway and Caprenia (Domonique) McNeal of Hartsville SC; Brother-in-law, Pastor C.E. (Beverly) Carraway of Hartsville SC; Sisters-in-law, Annie Lee Carraway of Florence SC and Carrie McMillian of New York. She loved her grandchildren. Each of them had a special place in her heart: James (Jab) Briggs and Sharolyn (Wayne) King of Albany, NY, Tegge (Eric) Dickey-Hough of Charlotte, NC, Duane Dickey of Hartsville, SC, Daryl Dickey of Atlanta, GA, Jahrahrah (Mykala) Gousby of Georgia, baby-grand, Chastine (Brandon) Jackson of Charlotte, NC, and Janae Jackson of Florence, SC. She also had a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom she loved. There was always a rousting bout among the grands, great-grands, nieces and nephews about who was Mother Rosa’s “favorite”.

She was also the matriarch of her neighborhood. Rosa was a family-oriented woman of God. Her grandchildren knew her as our “praying grandma,” loving God all of her life. Her great-grands knew her as “Great.” 

 

She enjoyed telling stories of life in Manning and Hartsville: how much they got paid to work and how much things have changed. Rosa enjoyed serving God at her beloved church, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, where she raised her kids. Rosa was very proud to be the Mother of the Church. She was also a member of the Usher Board, Choir #1, Gospel Choir, Carraway Family Singers, and a Missionary. She received the Shining Star award as the oldest member of the church in 2022. She received recognition for Women's History Month in 2022. She also received a Resolution from the SC House of Representatives (Rep. Robert Williams Dist. 62) in 2022. Her famous family saying, which we will always fondly remember is “Watch out for the other man when traveling”. 

 

We will truly miss her sassy, well-styled demeanor. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren just loved Grandma Rosa. She was a much well-loved member of her community by all who knew her, which included her family, church, neighbors, longtime friends and extended Wilson family.