Roslyn W. Tripp

Roslyn Lorrain Warrior Tripp, beloved daughter of John B. Warrior, Jr. and Charlotte Warrior was born on April 22, 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the only child and apple of her parents’ eye or you could say she was their “Peach” as that was the name she was affectionately called. She was a bright and inquisitive child who excelled at E.C. Clement Elementary School where she participated in the Girl Scouts and other school clubs. She was thrilled when she reached the 8th grade and began as a student at the “Mighty” Henry McNeal Turner High School. There she was involved in the French Club, Drama Club, talent shows, and was selected as a member of the Homecoming Court. Roslyn was a well-known fixture in the Simpson Road community. At the center of the Hunter Hill neighborhood was church and her family’s variety store, Warrior’s Grocery. Her parents managed and operated the store on Scott Street that was opened and founded by John’s parents, John and Hattie Warrior, Sr. in 1937. The store was a stalwart in the community until 2015. Roslyn’s maternal grandmother, Marion Davis Parham, was a founding member of Hunter Hill First Missionary Baptist Church. It was there that her family worshipped and served for all of her childhood and young adult life. She was active as the pianist for the Sunbeam Children’s Choir of which her mother was the director. She was also active in the Youth Choir and Sunday School where her father served as Sunday School Superintendent. It was at Hunter Hill that Roslyn first accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and her thirst to know God began which continued throughout her life. Roslyn chose to remain in Atlanta to further her education at the illustrious Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University). She could often be seen driving her red Volkswagen Beetle to and from class. Roslyn immediately found her place on campus. She excelled academically as well as blossomed socially. Here she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Pi Chapter. It was also during freshman orientation that she met an ambitious young man from the rural Georgia city of Greensboro named George Tripp. The “city” kids were a tight knit group who eyed newcomers with skepticism. However, this particular young man seemed determined to stand out and the first step was by being elected class president. Their paths seemed to continually cross as she matriculated through college. She was elected Ms. United Negro College Fund (UNCF) as well as a member of the Alpha Sweetheart Court. When George pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Phi Chapter, the stars seemed to align and Roslyn and George began dating in their junior year of college. They continued dating for the remainder of their time at Clark and married on August 2, 1969, just 2 months after their college graduation. Roslyn had always dreamed of becoming a teacher, however a university career counselor recommended that she interview for Sears, Roebuck, & Co. Roslyn impressed the interviewer and was selected for the Sears Management Trainee Program. She had the distinction of being one of the first African-American women in the program. She held several management positions in the company including Merchandise Manager at the Cumberland and West End Stores as well as Human Resources Director at the Parts Distribution Center in Tucker, Georgia. She also managed the Peachtree Road location when the Buckhead store carried the corporation’s high end merchandise. Not only did she provide leadership with retail matters, but she was also selected by the store manager to lead community efforts such as the Red Cross blood drive. Roslyn was a perfect fit and role model for retail management by being both elegant and eloquent. She paved the way for many other female managers, especially African-American women. A prime example of this is when Roslyn was preparing to welcome her first-born daughter, LaTanya. At that time, Sears did not have a maternity leave policy as this topic had never been encountered before as all previous managers had been men. The employee handbook had to be rewritten to suit all future trainees and address a wider variety of life events. In 1981, Roslyn resigned from Sears with the birth of her youngest daughter, LaShaune. She relished the role of being a mother and could often be seen serving as Class Room Mother, assisting her parents, and supporting her husband during the 2 years that she was a stay at-home mom. In May 1983, Roslyn and George were led by God to join forces opened George E. Tripp Insurance Agency. The pair were highly successful serving many families in their community including several notable clients such as former mayors and U.S. surgeon generals. They won many awards and accolades including the Small Business Association Entrepreneur of the Year Award and sales awards that afforded them and their family the opportunity to travel domestically and internationally. Some of the places they visited were multiple Hawaiian Islands, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Switzerland, Vancouver, B.C., Mexico and many other locales. She also served on several company councils including the President’s Council of Safeco Insurance and the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia Association. The agency thrived until 2017 when they decided to transition it to new management. In addition to her professional activities, Roslyn was very visible in her community. She was an active member of the Woodward Academy Parent’s Club and she and George served as President from 1992-1993. She was a lifelong supporter of Turner High School and served as the Class Chaplain for the Alumni Association. In efforts to further the economic success and corporate citizenship of the metro-Atlanta area, she served on the Old National Merchants Association as well as completed Leadership Atlanta and was selected to participate in the Loaned Executive Program with the United Way. She was also concerned with the well-being of all children and served them through her membership in Jack & Jill of America, Atlanta Chapter. Due to her many activities and organizations, Roslyn developed friends from many walks of life both in Atlanta and her secondary home at Lake Oconee. When asked what her greatest accomplishments were, she would say her faith and her family as they seemed inextricably linked. As a family, in 1978, they joined Union Baptist Church where she served as Superintendent of the Sunday School and President of the Deaconess Board. An entire generation of children experienced God through her vibrant programming such as Easter programs which she insisted be of excellent quality and content. In 1991, she became a founding member of Christian Fellowship Baptist Church and served in various capacities including the choir, Sunday Morning Bible Study Director and Deaconess. She believed that the study of the word was not reserved for children and that even mature (in age or faith) Christians could develop a closer relationship with God through the study of His Word. After serving at Christian Fellowship for many years, she and her family joined World Changers Church International, Pastor Dr. Creflo Dollar and remained a faithful member until her transition. There she served on the board of World Changers Christian Academy and strived to address the academic and spiritual needs of children. Roslyn loved her family dearly. She was her daughters’ most enthusiastic cheerleader and advocate. She believed in excellence and strived to instill that in them through loving discipline and instruction. As they grew and developed, she supported their involvement in many clubs, organizations and church. With LaTanya’s marriage, Roslyn’s heart enlarged to accommodate new members of the family. Then with the addition of grandchildren, she became a doting and involved “Grand” and enjoyed watching them grow. She looked forward to holiday gatherings and birthdays. She especially enjoyed capturing family moments with photos. Roslyn fought valiantly and faced illness with extraordinary grace and beauty. Her family had the distinct honor of walking this journey with her. She can now receive her handsome reward and take her rest in the arms of her Savior. She received Her Lord’s invitation to come home and abide with Him on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. Celebrating her Homegoing are devoted husband, Mr. George E. Tripp, daughters, Mrs. LaTanya (Sean) Simmons and Ms. LaShaune Tripp; grandchildren, Kyle, Jaida, Corrie, Riley Simmons and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Celebration of Life Services will be held at World Changers Church International, 2500 Burdett Rd, College Park GA 30349 on Saturday January 26, 2019 at 12:00 PM. She will be laid to rest at Lincoln Cemetery. Family and friends may visit from 10 AM to 8 PM on Friday January 25, 2019 at the South DeKalb Chapel of Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home. Please express your condolences here on our website. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, South DeKalb Chapel. 4347 Flat Shoals Pkwy, Decatur GA 30034. 404-241-5656.

Tributes

Roslyn W. Tripp

April 22, 1947 - January 16, 2019