Rosa Harris Sanders Creque, whose funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1114 Twelfth St., was one of those remarkable people who touched literally hundreds of lives.
The most notable of which was international opera star Jessye Norman, who received her first formal vocal coaching from Mrs. Sanders at then A.R. Johnson Junior High School in Augusta.
"Some people are born to teach and to help," Mrs. Sanders once said. "I believe that I was that instrument placed at A.R. Johnson a that particular time.
"Whenever I would hear a good voice, I would get excited about it," she added. "My philosophy was to let every child develop to his [or her] own potential."
Mrs. Sanders died Saturday at a personal care home in Augusta at 87.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. today at W. H. Mays Mortuary, 1221 James Brown Boulevard.
She had taught music for more than 30 years in Richmond County schools and had served as music director for many years at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
She came from talented parents, Addie and Jackson Harris, who both played the piano and who wanted to pass on their love of music to their 10 children including Rosa.
Rosa's late brother, Jerry Harris, was one of Augusta's best known musicians playing for vocalist Flo Carter at the Arts in the Heart of Augusta festivals; playing for future "Gomer Pyle" Jim Nabors at a nightclub on Broad Street and playing for countless weddings and social gatherings in the area.
Rosa's son, Timothy, has played his saxophone all over the world for such music stars as Percy Sledge and Wilson Pickett and comedian Bill Cosby. He's known to local music fans and many Masters' visitors for playing saxophone and leading the Playback band at Surrey Center.
It was while attending A.R. Johnson that young Jessie Mae Norman began taking vocal lessons from Mrs. Sanders. Ms. Norman later would change her performing name to Jessye.
"In the days when Jessye was going to school in Augusta, they didn't have special classes for gifted children, so I worked with Jessye after school and weekends at my house," Mrs. Creque said.
"We worked with the classics. I took her to sing at churches and schools all over Augusta and accompanied her on piano."
Mrs. Creque also took Miss Norman to vocal talent competitions in Savannah in April of 1960 and Fort Valley, Ga., in May of that year. And when Miss Norman advanced to Lucy Laney High School, Mrs. Creque continued to work with her.
But even more importantly, Mrs. Creque took Miss Norman to meet Mark Fax, chairman of the music department at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Mr. Fax, who had taught at Paine College and personally instructed the Sanders family children, offered Miss Norman a scholarship.
That big step eventually led Ms. Norman to recording scores of classical recordings and thousands of performances including such memorable appearances as the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, the opening ceremonies of the Atlanta Olympic Games and the funeral of Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
Mrs. Creque said that she began instilling a love of music in her own children (Timothy and Ignatius) at an early age.
"All of them learned how to play," she said. "I expect them to teach their children how to play. Love of music comes from being surrounded by it."
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I LOVE the last line of this article!!! My parents taught me music, I stayed with it & now write my own songs as well. I do this with my own children in hopes that they'll love music just as much as I do. :)
A great Augustan has passed into glory. She may not have been as well-known as others who have passed this week, but it's entirely possible that her contribution to all our lives is even more important than theirs. God speed, Ms. Creque. Rest well, singing with the angels in the presence of the Lord.
Much love and respect for Ms.Creque. Her presence will be missed in our community. Prayers to her family.
Rosa and Jerry Harris were pillars of the music community in Augusta. They made major differences in so many people's lives and were wonderful people as well!
to the sanders family--she will surely be missed. the csra has lost someone very special.