There were tears, but it was the sharing of heartfelt memories, laughter and rousing renditions of old sweet gospel songs that will keep local bookstore owner Georgia West on attendees’ minds.

More than a thousand people gathered at St. Paul Missionary Baptist church Thursday to pay respect to West, a faithful member, who was known affectionately in the community as Mother Rose. West, 75, died on December 23 after a courageous, mostly silent, 10-year battle with cancer. 

A native of Oak Park, she was a former nurse and ran the neighborhood’s Black-centered Underground Books.

Among mourners were community figures and political leaders like Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber and former California senator Holly Mitchell. Mitchell, known widely for authoring the Crown Act legislation that protects Black hairstyles in the workplace, shared memories of attending a dinner hosted by the Obamas along with West and her sons and of bringing her own son to the store while still serving in the California legislature. 

Kevin Johnson and Ronald “Ronnie” West shared heartfelt memories about their mother that were both reverent and humorous. Johnson was the city’s first Black mayor and orchestrated much of Oak Park’s revitalization efforts, and West is a marketing executive who once ran a barbershop in his brother’s 40 Acres complex.

“My mom loved being in the bookstore, greeting people and being the smiling face that might be the only smile they saw that day,” West said. “My mom knew the schedule of every UPS and FedEx driver and would ask how they are, talk to them, ask about their families, because they were just as important as a Holly Mitchell coming through the door to her. That was her opportunity to share her personality, to offer wisdom, to inspire and to bring a smile to someone’s face.”

“We knew how much we loved our mom, but to see how much you all love her is overwhelming and comforting at the same time,” Johnson added.

Baseball legend and friend Dusty Baker also shared reflections. Comedian Dru Burks, an original student in Johnson’s St. Hope Academy, evoked laughter, detailing West’s support of his performances, which he kept clean in her presence.

 Gospel legends Tremaine Hawkins, Bebe Winans and Erica Campbell of Mary Mary performed during the service. Hawkins awed with “Going Up Yonder,” Winans  brought celebrants to their feet with “Stand” and briefly changed the words of a song he wrote for his niece, Ashley Rose, to use “Mother Rose.” Campbell, accompanied on piano by her husband, pastor Warren Campbell, performed “Amazing Grace.”

“She is a woman who needs no eulogy, but she absolutely deserves one,” said Bay Area pastor Dr. Claybon Lea Jr. in his rousing tribute.

To keep West’s memory and legacy alive, her family announced an annual $5,000 scholarship to the Capitol City Black Nurses Association and a St. Hope “Mother Rose Fund” that will support a Mother Rose Prize For Excellence in African American Literature, Black Bookstore Heritage Grants and the Mother Rose Community Trust, that will provide free books for youth, scholarships to area nursing students and roses to lift the spirits of area seniors.