Walter Franklin "Red" Rose

Walter F. Rose AHOSKIE - Walter Franklin "Red" Rose, 86, died Jan. 13, 2009, in Roanoke Chowan Hospital. Red was born Jan. 18, 1922, in Yadkin County to the late Molly Sturdivant Rose and Eugene Franklin Rose. During World War II, he served with the 712th Tank Battalion of the 90th Infantry, 3rd Army under Gen. Patton. Throughout his life, he remained in contact with his comrades and was one of three remaining survivors. In 1947, he married the late Doretha Pearle Chappell. He founded what is now known as Rose Brothers Paving Company Inc. with his brother Issac Sandy Rose in 1952. The brothers moved the grading and paving business to Ahoskie and Edenton area in the early 1960s from the northwestern part of North Carolina. He is survived by three sons, Walter Frank Rose Jr. and wife Penny, Jeffrey Chappell Rose and wife Jeanna, all of Ahoskie, and Eugene Timothy Rose and wife Sue of Wake Forest; and a sister, Anna Faye Rose Martin of Hendersonville. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Chip Rose, Laura Rose Neelon, Holt Rose, Taylor Rose, Lauren Rose, Stephen Rose, O'Anna Rose and Alex Rose; and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at 11 a.m. in First Baptist Church of Ahoskie. The family requests that memorials be made to Chowan University, Walter F. and Doretha C. Rose Scholarship, c/o Development Office, 1 University Place, Murfreesboro, NC, 27833. Friends and family may send online condolences to www.garrettfh.com. Garrett Funeral Home is serving the Rose family.