Georgia ‘Mother Rose’ West Given Her Flowers

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff WriterThere 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, 73, 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.Sacramento’s first Black mayor, Kevin Johnson shares stories of his mother’s love and support during her memorial service last week. Russell Stiger Jr., OBSERVER& 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...