Rosa Lee Mezo, age 69, formerly of Mt. Vernon, IL, passed away October 23, 2013 at Bluegrass Care & Rehabilitation Center in Lexington, Kentucky. She was a loving sister, wonderful mother, devoted grandmother, a homemaker, farmwife, beautician, and an extraordinary cook at home and on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. She very much enjoyed cooking 12 years for Midland Enterprises and the Ingram Barge Company. Rosa Lee was also a member of the Seafarer's Union She was born January 24, 1944, to James Howard "Red" Mezo and Leah June (Alexander) Mezo in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, IL. (618-246-0100). Family will receive family and friends from 1-4 pm Saturday, November 2, 2013 at South Side Baptist Church, 1800 South 18th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL. Survivors include one sister, Patricia (Harold) Carr, Cincinnati, Ohio and one brother, Tony (Mary Beth) Mezo, Mt. Vernon, IL. Two daughters, Mary Susan (Grahlherr) Bashore and husband Jeff, of Lebanon, MO and Julie Ann (Grahlherr) Garrison and husband Steve, of Lexington, KY. Six grandchildren, Matt (Kira) Kash, Amy Kash, Hailey Garrison, Shane (Jessica) Kash, Alex Garrison and Jarrod Kash. Four great-grandchildren, Hayden Kash, Gauge Taylor, Jacob Payne, and Abbie Kash. One nephew, Steve (Donna) Carr, two nieces, Renee (DJ) Pelaez and Susan (Bill) Huber. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Jim Mezo and one sister, Sue (Joe) McCandrew, one granddaughter, Shirley Annette Kash, one grandson, Seth Kash and one great-granddaughter Bella Kash. Rosa Lee "Rosie" enjoyed cooking and sharing recipes with family and friends. In her younger years, she enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing & crocheting. Rosie touched the lives of many with love and kindness, be it thru recipes, a glass of iced tea at the dining table or simply by being there to listen when you needed her. She was loved by all who knew her and will be dearly missed. Our love goes with her and our souls wait to join her.