Mary Alice Rose

Mary Alice Rose, 84, a gentle and loving soul, died peacefully on Monday, November 23, 2009, following a brief illness. She joins her late, beloved husband of nearly 50 years, Roth Byrnes Rose Sr. in the Kingdom of Heaven. One of eight children born in Buena Vista, Virginia, to Jerome Kyle Shewey and Tracy Kyle Page Shewey, she graduated from Parry McCluer High School and later Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1946, in Roanoke. After working as a private duty nurse, she worked for 20 years with the Roanoke Public Health Department. Every one Mary Alice touched is better for the experience, and she will be dearly missed by all. She is survived by a daughter, Ada Jo Foley, of Asheville, N.C.; two sons, Roth Rose, of Richmond and Jerome Rose, of Vinton; one granddaughter, Courtney Foley and her husband, Gabe Byars, of Durham, N.C.; two grandsons, Marshall Foley, of Edison, N.J. and Kyle Rose, of Vinton; a sister, Jo Ann Southworth, of Colfax, N.C.; a special niece, Betsy Barker, of Salem; and a special sister-in-law, Maruma Warren, of Roanoke; and countless relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice or to Huntington Court United Methodist Church (God's Update Building Fund), P.O. Box 5066, Roanoke, Va. 24012. Following the loss of her husband, she spent the last 12 years of her life as an active member of Huntington Court United Methodist Church, visiting the sick and lonely, baking bread and rolls for friends and the needy. She loved cross stitching, knitting afghans for loved ones and generally spreading her laughter, generosity and eternal optimism whenever she saw the need. Mary Alice played with three bridge clubs and counted her fellow members as dear friends. She loved spending time with her many cousins, nieces and nephews and looked forward every year to her Las Vegas vacations. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 27, 2009, in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Russell Cheatham will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.