Mary E. Rose
WAVERLY—Mary Ellen Lewis Rose, 84, the widow of Franklin W. Rose, died March 31, 2009, at Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg.
Born in Mount Airy, N.C., she was the daughter of the late William Green Lewis and Margaret Hatcher Lewis.
She was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Kearney Bourne; and three brothers, Frank Lewis, Tom Lewis, and Ed Lewis.
Mrs. Rose lived in Richmond and worked for the Internal Revenue Service and the American Tobacco Company until she married Franklin W. Rose on Dec. 5, 1953, and moved to Waverly.
She was a member of the Waverly United Methodist Church and the Women’s Society of Christian Services (later known as the United Methodist Women) where she served as President from 1974 to 1976.
She was a member of the Waverly Women’s Club and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. She was also active in helping with the Carpenter Museum in Waverly. She was an avid bridge player.
Survivors include a son, William Franklin Rose and wife Debbie of Richmond; a daughter, Elizabeth Rose Morris and husband Eddie of Waverly; her beloved grandchildren (who called her “Ga-Ga”), Rebecca Morris Pope and husband Michael, Michael Edward Morris, Weatherly Barton Rose, and Bryson William Rose; and one brother, David Hatcher, of Mt. Airy; and several nieces and nephews.
She was happily anticipating the birth of her first great-granddaughter, Virginia Madeline Pope.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. today at Waverly United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Connie Gibbs-Morris officiating.
Burial will follow in Waverly Cemetery. Family and friends will gather for a reception at the home, following the burial.
Memorial donations may be made to the Waverly United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 12, Waverly, VA 23890 or the Waverly Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 583, Waverly, VA 23890.
Purviance Chapel, J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Condolences may be posted at our web site, www.jtmorriss.com.