The Selma Times-Journal

Rosa Mae Gibbs Whitt, a former Selma Times-Journal contributor and columnist, died March 15, 2008 at the age of 91 at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, Ill.

Known as &8220;Miss Beloit&8221; affectionately by some in the Dallas County area, Whitt was very active in her community and spearheaded a number of projects.

Whitt was involved heavily in quilting, and would come to quilt at the Old Depot Museum, according to Jean Martin, who currently works at the museum. Some of her quilts remain on display.

Ethel Roper, a lifetime friend of Whitt&8217;s, became her Sunday School teacher after Whitt had taught her for years.

According to Roper, Whitt&8217;s gardening skills were top notch. &8220; She had the most beautiful garden in Beloit,&8221; Roper said. &8220;When everyone else&8217;s gardens were brown, hers were green and just thriving.&8221;

Whitt was born in 1917 in Cecil, Ala., the second child of 10. She attended Alabama State College, now known as Alabama State University,and later became a teacher.

She met and married Arlue Whitt of Beloit and the couple had five children.

Whitt was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church and served as a Sunday school teacher,

sang in the choir, and served as chairperson for several programs and a member of the Usher Board.

A memorial service for Whitt was held at the Beloit Community Center Friday evening from 6-8 p.m., and services were held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church. Whitt was buried in the Hopewell

cemetery.