Rochelle Jay

Rochelle Yvette Jay was born in the great state of Texas to her loving parents, Charles McDaniel and Rosie Southwell on September 1st, 1960. Rochelle was blessed to grow up with her brother, Freddie, and sisters, Lois, Deloris, and Patricia.

Rochelle graduated from South High School in 1978 and earned an associate degree in from Colorado State University in 1981. Although Rochelle was a dedicated employee of the United States Postal Service for over 30 years, her true passion was fabric. Rochelle’s love of fabric sparked at the young age of four. At the age of nine, she asked her parents for her first sewing machine. She loved making clothes out of unused fabric and eventually taught herself how to make throw pillows that her mother would sell to her coworkers.

Rochelle spent a lifetime taking classes locally and around the United States. She believed learning new techniques kept her mind sharp. She fell in love with creating with fabric and jewelry. Some of her favorite techniques included embellishing with beads and embroidery, fabric painting and dying, and fabric manipulation. Rochelle also enjoyed creating fused glass and precious metal, jewelry, and buttons. Her love of fabric encouraged Rochelle to share her gift with others. Rochelle became a certified trained sewing educator (TSE) through the Home Sewing Association and American Sewing Guild. A member since 2001 of the National Association of Fashion Designers, Rochelle won first and second place trophies. Rochelle was the founder and president of Bella Designers, a couture fashion group that she personally “handpicked” each member. She believed each member’s skill set was vital to the entire collaboration of creativity.

Rochelle met the love of her life Ramsey at Kuns Miller Junior High. They wed in Las Vegas on July 3rd, 1994. Ramsey thought it was rare that he knew his soulmate way back then. Together they raised two beautiful daughters, Janel and Milissa. Rochelle loved her family, and she was extremely proud of them. As a family, they enjoyed going to the movies, eating out, and taking vacations. Rochelle was a loving and generous woman. She was a supportive wife and mother and was blessed to have a relationship with her grandchildren, Jeremiah, Keyajah, and Ari. Affectionately called “Nana”, she took pride in spoiling them as only their Nana could.

Rochelle Yvette Jay embraced the Lord’s hand in her home on Monday April 3rd, 2023. Those left behind to cherish her beloved memory, her devoted and loving husband, Ramsey Jay; her mother, Rosie Lee Southwell; her children, Janel McDaniel and Milissa Jay; grandchildren, Jeremiah McDaniel, Keyajah Rene McDaniel, and Ari Oduro; sisters, Lois Limberick and Deloris McDaniel; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many creative friends.

To My Beautiful Wife,

When our Father God graced me with you Rochelle, I knew I was truly blessed by His love. It was the same love you shared with me, my true love. I will miss you so much. ~ Ramsey