Johnnie Faye Rosell

Johnnie Faye Rosell, age 85, died February 2, 2013 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born August 18, 1927 in Briggsville, Arkansas, the oldest daughter of Myrtle Mae Stout and Ralph Waldo Tolleson. Johnnie practiced as a registered nurse for 47 years. As a young woman, she left her home in Bigelow, Arkansas to train at St. Vincent Infirmary School of Nursing as a Cadet Nurse during WWII. After her marriage in 1948 to Daniel Rosell, of Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, she practiced nursing in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Johnnie and Daniel relocated to Arkansas in 1962. She became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in 1965. Subsequently, she served as the Director of the St Vincent Infirmary School of Nursing Anesthesia where she practiced and taught nursing anesthesia until 1974. In 1974 she became a staff Nurse Anesthetist at Baptist Hospital until her retirement in 1995. Johnnie was instrumental in the formulation of national and state governmental policy regarding the profession of nursing anesthesia. She was an organizational leader of the Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, holding many offices including that of President. She was a committee chairperson for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and was an important voice on the Governmental Relations committee. Governor Bill Clinton appointed her to a 4 year term on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing in 1979 during which she served as Chairman of the Board of Nursing for part of her term. She also served as the Arkansas Representative to the National Council of State Boards of Nurses. Johnnie was an expert in the crafting and collecting of porcelain dolls, orchid horticulture, and an avid fisherman. She loved to paint, read, quote poetry, and travel. She was happiest when surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Johnnie was preceded in death by her husband, of 45 years, Daniel and her sister Kathleen Gregory She is survived by four daughters: Danna K. Carver (Patrick) Alexander, Arkansas; Rosemarie Rosell Houston, Texas; Annamaria Langston Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Mary Ellen Greer (Dyer) San Antonio, Texas. Her grandchildren, Dawn Carver Blake, Ellie Test, Danny Greer, Katie Greer and Marco Langston Jr. were the light of her life. Her surviving brother, Ralph Tolleson Jr. is of Conway Arkansas. She forged a life legacy of professionalism, individualism, and leadership. She touched the lives and hearts of so many. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, (501) 224-8300. A Rosary will be held there Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at 6 p.m. with a visitation following from 6:30-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church February 6, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., followed by interment at Forest Hills Memorial Park. Johnnie's family would like to thank the staffs of Washington Regional Hospital and the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville for their excellent care and support during her illness. Memorials may be made to the Johnnie Rosell Nurse Anesthesia Education Grant, JR Acree, ARANA, 84 Cypress Creek Drive, Cabot, Ark. 72023. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.