Our Matriarch Rosa
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Vanta Coda III
Team Eisert
Story Summary
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Tucked away in a northside neighborhood just blocks from downtown Sedalia, Mo., lives 94-year-old matriarch Rosa Gravitt. With many of her seven children living nearby, Rosa lives in the home she has occupied for decades. Her family and friends care for her by preparing home cooked meals, maintaining her yard, and keeping up on general maintenance on the property so she can continue to live there in her final years.
When Rosa’s long time friend and sister-in-law, Margaret Cochran, moved in to help care for her it was further proof that the small village around Rosa is rallying behind one goal - to prevent her from moving into an assisted living center. They want to give her the opportunity to live the rest of her life in the home she has always known.
“Assisted living facilities are not bad,” said Norma Poindexter, Rosa’s daughter. “They prove to be useful for complications someone may have, but in terms of everyday care, having your family there is the best care you can have.”
To see that goal fulfilled, the Gravitt family has built a community of care, compassion and comfort around Rosa, returning the love she spent her life showing her children.
Rosa Gravitt, 94, looks out on the neighborhood she has known all her life. Rosa’s ability to live at home can be credited to her children, many of whom live next door.
Rosa's children and sister-in-law, 83-year-old Margaret Cochran, gather to discuss medical bills in Rosa’s living room. “For cooking we usually rotate who brings food to her, but everything else we usually help her as we see fit,” said Estella Frazier, far right, who is Rosa's daughter.
Healthline caretaker Julianne MacDonald, 53, takes Rosa outside her home. Rosa enjoys sitting on her porch throughout the day. “Unless it's too hot outside she almost always will want to go sit on the porch,” Julianne said.
Juilanne passes Rosa her daily Meals on Wheels lunch at Rosa’s home. “Every day, one of us cooks for her, except for lunch,” said Estella.
Rosa bends over to tend to her potted flowers outside her home. “A couple of years back she would be plucking and pruning her yard, but because of her recent mini stroke, it has taken away a lot of her energy,” said Norma Poin, Gravitt’s daughter.
Estella, right, supports her mother, 94-year-old Rosa as they walk to the car for one of Rosa’s routine medical appointments. “Estella is mother’s heart, and you can tell that as soon as she sees her she lights up,” said Margaret, Rosa’s sister-in-law.
Estella, center, introduces her mother, Rosa, left, to 101-year-old Ruth Jackson. Estella took her mother to visit Jackson after Rosa’s doctor’s appointment earlier that day. “I take care of Ruth on certain days of the week,” Estella said. “I am glad she finally gets to meet mom.”
Rosa watches the front door while her daughter, 64-year-old Norma Poindexter, and her grandchildren eat dinner in the dining room at her home. Poindexter plans to fly back to Atlanta, Ga., the following day, but she is spending every moment before her impending departure with her family.
Framed photos of Rosa's siblings, Fletcher Gravitt, left, and Janita Gravitt, right, on display in her home. Fletcher, the oldest and first born Gravitt sibling, served in the United States Navy but died in Sedalia, Mo., from a knife wound after returning from duty.
As another day draws to a close, 94-year-old Rosa prepares for bed while pictures of her loved ones adorn the walls surrounding her in her bedroom.
Brian Kratzer, Co-Director
Alyssa Schukar, Co-Director
Hany Hawasly, Technical Director
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