For more than 50 years, Rosel J. Fann was known for fearlessly standing up for the people of southeast Atlanta and working tirelessly to improve the quality of life in her community.
Described as tough but fair, she had no qualms taking on politicians, developers or unruly teenagers, family and friends said.
Fann fought to keep out strip clubs and liquor stores and to bring in more jobs, make streets safer for children and improve services for senior citizens.
“She was not afraid. She did not back down. She did not care who it was – whether it was the president of the United States or a street sweeper,” said Paulette White-Scott, secretary of south Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit-Z. “She was always looking out for the people. She had a love for people and for her community.”
Fann, who had congestive heart failure, died Aug. 3 at Atlanta Medical Center. She was 82. Her funeral was Aug. 8 at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Atlanta.
Born on March 29, 1933, in College Park, Fann’s community and political activism began as a teenager.
She was elected representative-at-large to the East Point High School Student Council. She also became the first African-American woman to receive The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Best All Around Trophy in the Fulton County school system.
In 1952, she married Miller C. Fann, and they had four children. He died in 2007.
In 1958, her family moved to southeast Atlanta’s Poole Creek neighborhood, and she immediately noted disparities in education, community services and jobs. Residents complained that their working-class community was the city’s stepchild, a dumping ground for junkyards, a smelly landfill and sewage treatment plant.
Children played in the streets or on vacant lots because there were no parks or recreation centers. While liquor stores were around the corner, Fann had to travel several miles to find a decent grocery store.
To improve conditions, she began volunteering with community groups and in schools. She served as PTA president and participated in community voter-registration drives.
In 1972, she ran for the state House of Representatives’ District 37 seat. Although she didn’t win, her activism and leadership captured the attention of black political leaders in the city, and many came calling for her advice and support.
“If she didn’t believe in what you were doing, she would not support you,” said her son the Rev. Milton “Ahdwele” Fann of Atlanta. “When politicians came to her, she said ‘don’t ask what you can do for me, tell me what you’re going to do for the community.’ People appreciated her honesty and transparency.”
For several years, Fann served as chairman and chairman emeritus of NPU-Z, supporting projects such as the Lakewood Amphitheater and Southside Industrial Park. She also assisted other southside NPUs in community advocacy, joining the successful fight to stop expansion of the Live Oak landfill.
New in town in the early 1970s and interested in politics, U.S. Rep. David Scott said he went to meet Fann. He credits her with helping him attain a 40-year career as an elected official. He worked with her on several initiatives to boost economic development, employment and education.
“Mrs. Fann was an extraordinary leader. She was a pillar in the Atlanta community and respected all across the city,” Scott said. “She’s one of the reasons I sit in Congress today. You don’t forget the people who help you get your start.”
Fann was a regular observer and participant at city zoning board meetings and served as a Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire hearing officer for more than 10 years.
One of her proudest moments was the opening of the Southeast Atlanta park and recreation center in 1995. It was renamed the Rosel J. Fann Recreation Center in 2007 to honor her long fight to get the facility built.
Over the years, Fann received numerous awards for community service, including honors from the Georgia State Senate. In 1980, she received the Fulton County Outstanding Citizen Award. Earlier this year, the city of Atlanta presented her with the 2015 Phoenix Award.
“She was a forward-thinking woman who was always looking out for jobs and for the children,” said Atlanta City Council member Joyce Sheperd, who represents the area. “ She inspired me to stay in my community and work to make it better. She was about family all the way and community all the way.”
In addition to her son Milton, she is survived by her sons Marcus Fann of Atlanta and Martin Luther Fann of Covington; daughter Vivian “Tina” Baker of Atlanta; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
