OBITUARY: Rose Marie “Roma” Wharton

Rose “Roma” Marie Wharton was born on November 13, 1933, in Houston, Texas to Joe Gerald Mazzu Sr. and Biagia “Bessie” (Pecorino) Mazzu. She was the second of four children that included Joe G. Mazzu Jr. (deceased), Concetta Mazzu (Kapsalis), and Thomas Gene Mazzu, all of Houston. On December 31, 1953, at a New Year’s Eve watchnight service, Roma was wed to Samuel David Wharton of Arlington, Texas.

The Mazzu and Wharton families both cherished a strong Christian heritage, so David and Roma set sail into marriage with the winds of faith at their backs. David worked for several years with his father-in-law, who also became his mentor in construction and stone masonry. Roma spent time working at the Houston Ribbon Company. It wasn’t long before they were introduced to the mail business, which led them to move to New Orleans. After a few years and many beignets and Café au Laits, they moved to Mount Juliet, Tennessee in 1969, where Roma would live out the rest of her 92 years.

Roma worked alongside David in the mail contracting business, but also had stints as an administrative assistant at various churches and at a medical company. The hallmarks of their life together were their deep commitment to life in Christ and to serving others. Throughout most of their married life, you could find Roma involved in some level of church ministry, which included sharing her gifts as an accomplished organist and pianist—and she would even occasionally don the accordion. She accompanied individual singers, choirs, and worship teams of all kinds.

In their retirement years, Roma and David loved to pack up and travel, especially in their RV. During that season, David spent much of his time on mission endeavors around the world, building schools, hospitals, and churches. Roma fully supported him in those endeavors and handling all the clerical aspects of such trips. She also found time to play for the Mount Juliet Senior Citizen Choir, something she enjoyed doing for years. Their unflappable love of the Church and the message of Christ led them to be a part of pioneering several churches. When asked about that work, she would say, “It took a lot of time, a lot of treasure, and what little talent we could lend.” Truth be told, countless lives have been enriched and are still being influenced today by their sacrifices of time, treasure, and most assuredly, their talent.

Roma loved to cook, mostly so she could join family and friends around a table. Her home was a modest cathedral for small group gatherings, domino events for ladies’ groups, hymn sings, and endless birthday and other life celebrations—and these turnouts would usually include her most requested specialties: fettuccine and lasagna! Her home was a sanctuary where many people who felt lost or down on hard times or just needed a place to alight for a season, would find refuge for extended periods of time. It was at her table they would experience the love of Christ. His grace came to them through David and Roma’s warm hospitality—and of course, the familiar sound of Roma’s endearing chatter. Many had this restorative experience, including her own children and grandchildren, along with other extended family members, and pastoral and missional friends from around the world.

Roma and David felt that their ability to help others was a God-given gift not only to the people in their home, but also to their own hearts. Every time they gave love away, God gave it back to them—and hospitality was wrapping paper. Everyone who crossed the threshold into their home shared a piece of Roma’s life in Christ and took it with them wherever they went for the rest of their lives—like lasagna for the soul that never ran out.

Along the way, the greatest joy of Roma’s life stemmed from their three sons: Michael David (Lesa), Paul David (Lainie), and Andrew David (Julie). That joy continues to grow, reaching to her 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, along with countless nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews. She had a unique way of knowing everything about each one of them, and even in her later years, continued her practice of praying for all of them every single day. Her grandchildren called her Mimi. A strong presence full of spunk, life, and love, Roma was a woman who lived each day putting Christ, family, and others ahead of herself. She knew Jesus loved her and she loved Him with all her heart.

Arrangements:

A graveside service will be held for all who would like to attend at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 31.

The funeral arrangements for Rose Marie Wharton are entrusted to Sellars Funeral Home, 2229 North Mount Juliet Road, Mount Juliet, Tennessee 37122. (615) 758-5252

For more obituaries visit our obituaries page.

This obituary was published by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt Juliet.

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