Funeral services for Robert Edward "Bob" Rose, 85, will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 26, at Level Grove Baptist Church with Dr. Brian James and the Rev. Ryan Spencer officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force and Grant Reeves Honor Guard. His pallbearers will be his six grandsons.
Mr. Rose entered his eternal rest at home surrounded by his family Monday, May 24, 2021.
Born Dec. 3, 1935, in Grenada, Mississippi, he was the son of the late Milton Henry Rose Sr. and Rachel Jackson Rose. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his oldest brother, Milton Henry "Jim" Rose Jr.
Bob grew up in Grenada County, Mississippi, at the tail end of the Depression. He was the baby of the family until 10 years later when his baby brother was born, at which point he quickly ran away from home to his aunt's house, but only for a short time. His hard-working father ran a sawmill and it was there that Bob's incredible work ethic began. His father said that he was the best planer he had ever seen. At the age of 16, he attended a Billy Graham crusade in Jackson, Mississippi, and there he met his Savior Jesus Christ, and would serve Him for the rest of his life.
At the age of 18, he joined the Air Force and served from 1954-1962 in 526 FIS as a jet engine mechanic and Staff Sergeant during the Cold War at Ramstein AFB, Germany. His sister introduced him to the love of his life, Floyce, and they married five months later, May 3, 1958. After his service in the Air Force, he began a lifelong career selling sawmill equipment around the U.S. and Canada. While residing in Baraboo, Wisconsin, he was a partner at Lindsey & Rose Machinery, Inc. In 1976, he then returned to his home state of Mississippi, and started his own business, Rose Machinery, Inc., in Greenwood until 2003.
During his traveling salesman years, Bob often helped hitchhikers and anyone who needed food or clothing. Bob was a godly man of integrity, and there are not enough words to describe him fully. He was outgoing, humorous and interested in everyone's story, and especially enjoyed sharing the love of Jesus with new friends. Bob enjoyed all people and delighted in holding babies, supporting his grandchildren in their school and sporting activities, and a strong, fresh, hot cup of coffee. He was infamous for orderer's remorse at restaurants and wanting to taste everyone else’s food.
He was a classic car collector and restorer and was his happiest planting trees and flowers and digging the perfect hole. Since he didn't have any sons, his four daughters were taught the difference between various tools and how to pass the 3/8 wrench, to hold a flashlight correctly, and how to detail a car. More importantly, though, he showed them what a generous provider, a fierce protector, and a loving father looked like.
Bob was a member and deacon at Level Grove Baptist Church, and had been active in churches at each place he and his family lived including Michigan, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia. They made lifelong friends in each church and stayed in close touch with them. He was a dedicated friend to all.
Survivors include his devoted wife of 63 years, Floyce Herring Rose of Demorest; and four adoring daughters, Terri (Mike) Kirby of Brandon, Mississippi, Becky (Dr. Holton) King of Mount Airy, Jill (Chris) Chandler of Georgetown, Texas, and Dr. Jana Rose (Dave Wehrstein) of Demorest; sister, Betty Thompson of Grenada, Mississippi; brothers, Jack (Mary Edna) Rose of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bill (Carolyn) Rose of Holcomb, Mississippi, and Ben (Mary) Rose of Meridian, Mississippi; 11 treasured grandchildren, Emily Tate, Tara Spencer, Thomas Kirby, Erin King, Mitchell King, Haley King, Carter King, Kevin Chandler, Eric Chandler, Ava Wehrstein, and Jake Wehrstein, and 12 great-grandchildren.
A livestream of the Service will be available on the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory Facebook page at facebook.com/whitfieldfh.
Flowers are welcome, and memorial donations may be made to the Glorify Building Fund of Level Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 416, Cornelia, GA 30531, or to the Lottie Moon Mission Fund, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23230.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, Demorest.