Joan Katherine Rosemond

June 14, 1930 - November 28, 2020

Joan Katherine Downs Rosemond Pickens, South Carolina (1930-2020) Joan Katherine Downs Rosemond, aged 90, of Pickens, S.C., passed away peacefully on November 28, 2020. Born on June 14, 1930 in Manhattan, NY, she was the only child of Robert & Wilhelmina “Billie” (Woods) Downs of N.Y. Joan was raised in N.Y. during the swingin’ and jazz days of the Harlen Renaissance and attended a private school for elite African Americans in N.Y., where she graduated with honors. A beauty at the age of 18, she met and married the late Claude Demetrius of Bath, Maine, an American songwriter for Louis Armstrong and Elvis Pressley, who also wrote scores and musicals in N.Y. Always on the road traveling extensively, she devoted her time to her Mother, husband and only child, Bruce “Duru” Demetrius, a gifted percussionist and musician. She was a Christian and knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior. In 1975, she met and married the late Alonzo Lowell Rosemond, they settled in N.Y., and later moved to Pickens, S.C. She worked as a long-term care CNA in Greenville and Pickens for many years. She was quite the lover of all animals, but especially dogs and cats; she gave generously to the many animal rescue and shelters throughout the state. She is survived by her loving son, Bruce “Duru” Demetrius of San Francisco, CA, and her four grandchildren: Xiomara of N.Y.; Adeyemi and Lena of San Francisco, CA and Alejandro of Miami, Fl; one great-grandson, Alejandro, Jr., as well as her two beloved dogs, terrier, “BeeBee” and chihuahua, “CJ”. She also leaves to mourn: 3 stepchildren: Thelma (Jim) Perkins of Easley, S.C.; Mary Rosemond of Detroit, MI; and the late Alonzo Lowell Rosemond, II of Battle Creek, MI. 3 nieces: Betty J. Kelly of Greenville, SC; Lura Mae Allen of Easley, SC and Yvonne Allen of Detroit, MI. Her great-niece, Cheryl Allen-Bailey of Easley, SC who took care of her later in life, “she was such a joy and so full of life and history”…her best friends and co-workers, Eva Robinson of Greenville, SC and Ann George of Bowling Green, KY, “we were best friends for over 30 years, she was loving, caring and generous, I will miss her and treasure our friendship”. And, to her many family & friends – she was loved and will be missed dearly. Her wishes were to be cremated, where she will be interred in a mausoleum with her parents in N.Y. A memorial is planned for 2021. “If I can help somebody, as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain” The family wishes to thank, Halcyon Hospice of Greenville, SC, and Mrs. Mary Jo Holley, of Pickens, SC for the many acts of kindness; and for your thoughts, words, deeds and calls of comfort during our time of bereavement. Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Rosemond family.