Community Mourns Passing Of Beloved Founder Of Famous Bakery In San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — Family, friends and customers are mourning the death of the founder of a San Bernardino bakery that caters to celebrities.
Dorothy Pryor Rose, 69, died of a heart disease on Sunday. She founded The Original Mommie Helen's Bakery at 1440 S. E Street.
Her husband Bobbie Rose said: "She was a person that never met a stranger. Everything she did, she did with love."
Rose's smile was as sweet as the famous desserts she made. Since 1999, she pleased the palettes of many at the business she opened up with her sister.
"My mother would not let us reveal the secret, yes," daughter Tedra Rose laughed.
Her famous sweet potato pies were not only legendary in the community, entertainers and sports stars got to taste them after they met Rose at charity events. Her husband said Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal loved the sweet potato pies so much, he wanted them served at his wedding.
"We actually had to close the bakery down in order to cook all his pies that he had ordered," said Mr. Rose.
"I want to make sure this bakery is known all over the world like she wanted it to be," Tedra said.
Now, it's up to her daughters to carry on their mother's passion and legacy of donating to scholarships. "She gave back to the community that was important to her. So, we want to make sure we continue that," Tedra said.
Daughter Tekesha Pryor said "Mom, you will dearly be missed, but I know you're with us in spirit. It's pretty hard to come in here when you're not in here. But we've got to do it."