Mary Lillie Louise Randall was born in Iredell County on May 19, 1933, to the late William Henry Stevenson and Lillie Mae Lawrence. She passed away at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, N.C., on Friday, March 14, 2025, following a brief illness.
Louise was a dedicated wife, mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother. She had the ability to “meet you where you were.” This enabled her to wear so many different hats for so many different people. She could be the nurturer, the “ride or die” grandma, the money lender, the secret bearer, or just the silent presence.
She was a 1952 graduate of Morningside High School. She was twice married and was preceded in death by both husbands, M.J. Roseboro and John Randall.
Louise was a seamstress “par excellence.” She retired from the Quality Shop and Altschul’s Men’s Apparel in downtown Portsmouth, Va. Her meticulous attention to detail and “before her time” fashion flair made her a sought-after seamstress. She made high-end quality men’s tailored suits from measurements and material. Her second love was modeling. She was a freelance model whose career included television, photographic and runway modeling. She was featured in shows in Florida, Pennsylvania and Virginia; and was a hand and print model for JC Penney and Montgomery Ward.
Daughter Louise Randall was a prominent member of the Order of the Eastern Star Daughter of Isis and dedicated over 50 years of her life to Arabia Temple No. 12 in Portsmouth, Va. She holds the position of Past Commandress with her placard still residing on the wall of the Temple to this day. For many years she was the face representing Tidewater and the Temple in the world renowned Fish Bowl Parade.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sylvia Jennings; her grandson, Marvin Roseboro; and her siblings, Sarah Polleen “Polly” Lawrence, Rosetta Stevenson, Mary Ann Marshall, Mable Stevenson, Sallie Belle Sharpe, Ralph Henry, James Ray, Wiilliam Henry, and Raleigh Stevenson; and her in-laws, Blanche Ikard Borders, Mildred Pinchback, Sarah Byers, Betty Perry, Mary “Coot” Ikard, Georgia Ward, Mattie Ruth Turner, and George Ikard Jr.
Louise leaves to cherish the memory of her life her children, Judy Roseboro of Statesville, Milton Roseboro of Salem, Va., and Marion Roseboro of Portsmouth, Va.; her 10 grandchildren, Tanis (Anthony) Dawkins of Statesville, Theo (Colleen) Reid of Jacksonville, Fla., Tyrone (Sakina) Roseboro of Waxhaw, Christy Roseboro of New York City, Raheem Bashard-Ali of Lawrenceville, Va., Demetria Roseboro and Antonio Roseboro both of Portsmouth, Va., Shakeesha Roseboro of Virginia Beach, Va., Gordon (Rosita) Jennings of Jacksonville, Fla., and Latoya Jennings of Charlotte; brother, Billy Stevenson of Statesville; sisters, Mildred Allison of Statesville, Brenda Clinding of Spencer, Linda Maddox of Statesville, and Virginia Harris of Charlotte; in-laws, Ida Mae Ikard Davis of Statesville, James Ikard and Louise Tisdale, both of Philadelphia; 31 great grandchildren; 25 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 22, from 12:30 until 1 p.m. at Shiloh AME Zion Church. The funeral service will follow, beginning at 1 p.m., with Rev. Henry Steele officiating and Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Gainer, eulogist.
The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff of Gordon Hospice House for the excellent care they provided to Mrs. Randall.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Randall and her family.