Rose Mary E.T. Moye

Mrs. Rose Mary E. Thompson Moye of 1507 Lakeside Drive, Prince George, Va., passed away on Jan. 12, 2011, at the Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond, Va.

Rose was born in Memphis, Tenn., the oldest of two children born to Ernestine Meredith Burr and Wiley Desverney Thompson. When her mother passed away, she came to Orangeburg to live with her paternal grandparents and her father's sisters.

Rose became a member of Trinity Methodist Church (Trinity United Methodist), at an early age where she was active with the Methodist Youth Fellowship and also served as a Sunday School teacher. She attended Felton Training School on the campus of South Carolina State College (S.C. State University) where she excelled as a student and was named Miss Felton by the students. She matriculated to Wilkinson High School, where she continued to pursue academic excellence. She participated in many school activities including the National Honor Society and the Wilkinsonian staff, serving as editor.

At South Carolina State College, Rose was initiated into Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, serving as President during the 1952-1953 school term. She became a life member of Delta later in her life. She earned membership in the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Who's Who Among College and University Students, and graduated from State with a bachelor's degree in Library Science.

Her first employment was at the historic Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, S.C., where she worked as a school librarian. She also worked in Orangeburg School District 5 as a librarian and at SCSC during the deployment of her husband. Rose was an active and enthusiastic member of the S.C. State Alumni Association, serving as a national officer for many years. She was a life member of the Association, and worked diligently on the local and national levels. During this time the Moyes' made Prince George, Va., their permanent home. Rose was active in the community, making lasting friends with her neighbors. She took an active role in the local Democratic Party and as a result she was appointed to the Prince George County Electoral Board and was eventually elevated to President of the Board. She served in this capacity for more than 15 years establishing herself as a fair and able elections administrator, earning the respect of county staff and fellow Board members, Republicans and Democrats alike. Rose retired from this position after the 2010 elections.

Rose Moye was first and foremost a proud mother and homemaker. She elected to stay at home to care for the children and the home. She was also proud of her place as the winner of the annual Christmas decorations contest for the neighborhood surrounding Prince George. What began as a simple effort to share her love of the Christmas season with her neighbors became a five-time string of awards from community leaders.

Rose's final days reflected the principle that character is defined by how we meet the inevitable challenges in life. She determined that her life would not change — she would continue to look forward. She entered the hospital and finally ended the battle with cancer, passing away in her style and on her terms: comfortable with the life that she had led.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Harold Moye of the home; son, Myron D. Moye of Berkeley, Calif.; daughter, Angela White (Wayne) of Columbia, S.C.; five grandchildren; a sister, Barbara T. Townsend (Zack) of Orangeburg, S.C., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

A service of love and remembrance will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at Fort Lee Memorial Chapel, 10600 Sisisky Ave., Fort Lee, Va., and a second service of love and remembrance will be held at noon Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Orangeburg, S.C.

The family will receive friends at 1507 Lakeside Drive, Prince George, Va., and may be contacted by calling 804-861-2480.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the SCSU National Alumni Association, Inc., P.O. Box 7113, SCSU, 300 College St., N.E. Orangeburg, SC 29117 or the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060, in memory of Rose T. Moye.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Moye online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., 804-732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.