Obituary of Rosie Florio Mellis

Mrs. Rosina “Rosie” Florio Mellis, widow of Mike Mellis, entered into eternal rest on May 14, 2021.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service to celebrate Rosie’s life on Saturday, May 29, 2021, 2:00 PM at Victory Baptist Church, where Rosie joined membership on June 27, 2010. The church is located at 335 Woodland Shores Road, James Island. There will be a dessert reception immediately following the service. All family and friends are invited to attend.

A native of Charleston, Rosie was born November 25, 1936 to Herman J. Florio and Clementa Iamundo Florio. She attended Bishop England High School and St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing. Over the course of her life Rosie worked as a medical secretary, a construction secretary for the Charleston Place Hotel, and a legal secretary. She was a familiar face at the Doughty Street information desk at Roper Hospital, where she volunteered for 12 years. Rosie loved to travel and was best known for her cooking, catering, baking, and candy making. Rosie’s chocolates have added to many a waistline! Her daughters are glad she passed her love for and talent in cooking on to them.

Rosie is survived by 5 daughters, Michele Fipps (Oral) of Johns Island, Lauri Huss (Richard) of James Island, Lynne Day of Crab Orchard, KY, Karyn Dardar (Lavis) of Houma, LA, and Debbie Robbins (Billy) of Gardner, MA. Rosie was affectionately known as “Honey” and “Fudge Grandma” to 15 grandchildren: Rob Fipps (Trisha), Kelly Ploe (Mark), Elizabeth Meelan (AJ), Sarah McCord (Chris), Madison Huss, Timmy Day (Amber), Joey Day (Julie), Andrew Day (Ashley), Hannah Day, Amber Robinson (Edward), Ross Dardar, Tanner Spring (Todd), Brian Hebert, Kayla Robbins, Nick Robbins.  There are 27 great-grandchildren. Rosie was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a son, Michael James Mellis.

In addition to her children and grandchildren Rosie is survived by two sisters, Angela F. Jeffers (Jeff) of Moncks Corner, SC, and Donna M. Florio of Birmingham, AL. There are also many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends!  She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Crescent Hospice, 4401 Belle Oaks Dr., Charleston SC 29405 or Roper St. Francis Foundation, 125 Doughty Street, Ste. 790, Charleston, SC 29403.