Claudia Douglas Rose

Claudia Douglas Rose

Claudia Douglas Rose was born Aug. 21, 1951, in Amherst, to the late Richard Douglas and Annie Douglas Hudson. She was one of three children. She was predeceased by her older brother, Richard Douglas Jr.

Claudia was educated in the Amherst County school system and at an early age joined St. Mark Baptist Church in Amherst. She had an outgoing personality and loved to laugh and show off her beautiful smile.

That smile of hers caught the attention of a young man named George Rose, and in 1967, they were married. To this union five children were born. She is predeceased by two of her children: a son, Terry, and a daughter, Melinda. They raised their remaining children, Terri, Keith and Kimberly, in Amherst, close to family.

Claudia had a strong desire and passion to serve her country, and so in 1973, during the Vietnam War, she enlisted in the United States Army, where she served proudly for eight years, traveling the world and even living in Germany for a period of time. She settled in Fayetteville, N.C., after her discharge, where she continued her work in Civil Service until she became ill in 1995.

At that time, Claudia became a resident of Link Haw Place residential nursing home in Lumberton, N.C., where she received a phenomenal amount of care, love and attention from the dedicated staff who always made her smile, especially Ms. Bonnie, who had been with Claudia since her first day there.

Claudia was known for her stubbornness (before and after her illness), and so she fought a good fight for many years, never giving up or giving in. On Oct. 26, 2010, God called Claudia home, and she went peacefully with her children by her side. There was no fightonly a smile.

Claudia leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Terri Rose, loving son, Keith Rose, and caring daughter, Kimberly Rose, all of Fayetteville, N.C.; three grandchildren, Terance, Terrell and Tyshon Rose; one brother, Alan B. Hudson, and his wife, Shakeena, of Lynchburg; one nephew, Zion Anderson; two nieces, Aayliya Robertson and Annisa Jones; special aunts, Shirley Carter and Ernestine Rose (Roosevelt), of Amherst, and Elaine Carter (Robert) of Mt. Laurel, N.J.; and a host of other uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. today, Oct. 30, 2010, at St. Mark Baptist Church in Amherst, with burial in the Sandidge family cemetery.

Cunningham & Sons Mortuary is in charge of arrangements, (910) 433-2616.