Dr. H. Rose (Williams) Adesiyan

Dr. H. Rose (Williams) Adesiyan passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on August 10, 2026, surrounded by God’s love.

Rose was the third of six children born to the late Reverend Leroy Williams Sr. and Mrs. Tennessee Mayfield Williams. Her early childhood was rooted in faith, family, and music. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a young age, sang with the Junior Harmonyiers, a family singing group, and was actively involved in the life of Second Timothy Baptist Church, pastored by her father, Reverend Leroy Williams Sr., and eventually by her older brother, Reverend Leroy Williams Jr.

Rose graduated from Crispus Attucks High School and attended Knoxville College, a historically Black college. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana Central College, now the University of Indianapolis, and her Master of Education degree from Ohio University. She went on to earn her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, with areas of study in counseling and education and cultural anthropology. Her cultural anthropology research focused on sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Rose devoted much of her professional life to higher education. She served as a professor at Colgate University, the University of Lagos in Nigeria, Wabash College, and Purdue University Calumet, now Purdue University Northwest, where she retired as Professor Emerita. She was also the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship and authored several published articles throughout her academic career.

Her curiosity about the world extended far beyond the classroom. Rose loved music, public speaking, the arts, and learning about other people and cultures. During her lifetime, she traveled to 42 countries across six continents. She had a lifelong passion for Black history and ethnic studies and gave generously of her time through her church and her local community.

Yet for all her academic accomplishments and travels around the world, Rose found her greatest joy in her faith and her family. In her later years, she enjoyed life at Robin Run Senior Living Village and treasured the time she spent with her sons and grandchildren.

Rose is survived by her beloved sons, Michael Olateru-Olagbegi Sr. and Steve Adesiyan; her siblings, Elgie Love, David Williams, Pat Martin, and Paula Jackson; and her cherished grandchildren, Alyssa Olagbegi, Olivia Olagbegi, Steve Adesiyan Jr., and Summer Grace Olagbegi.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Leroy Williams Sr. and Mrs. Tennessee Mayfield Williams; her brother, Reverend Leroy Williams Jr.; and her beloved grandson, Michael Olateru-Olagbegi Jr.

At Rose’s request, a graveside service will be held Monday, August 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Rose asked that those wishing to honor her simply show love and kindness to others.

She wished to be remembered as a kind and compassionate person with an unwavering faith in God. Her life reflected that wish through her devotion to family, education, faith, service, and a lifelong desire to understand the world and the people in it.

May her memory be a blessing.