Mr. James Edward Rose

James Edward Rose, was born on January 24, 1940 in Richmond, Virginia to the late Inez Rose

and was the eldest of her three children. James spent his early years in his hometown of

Richmond surrounded by family who would help shape his character. James, who admired his

mother's strength to raise three boys as a single parent, would often help her with daily task

between school and hanging out with friends and spent his summers working his Uncle

Richard's farm where he not only gained skills in tending the land but also meaningful lessons in

tending to life.

In 1957, at the age of 17, James, after the urging of a supervisor at his after-school cafeteria

job, who noticed him coming to work more than going to school, would join the United States

Air Force, but not before he had the blessing of his mother. James would be stationed in

Greenland and Japan and between his Air Force duties and exploring his new surroundings, he

would finish his high school education, receiving his GED and take other general education

classes. After a few years traveling overseas, James would be stationed at Andrews Air Force

Base in Prince George's County Maryland and during his time there he would meet and marry

Minnie Lee Talbert, becoming an instant father to her children, Otis and Francine. The newly

established family of four would have little to settle in as James would be deployed to Vietnam

to serve in the war and using the skills he learned years earlier at his after-school cafeteria job,

would become the shift supervisor of the dining hall.

After his tour in Vietnam, James and his family would move to London, England, where he

served as a cook supervisor and then stationed for a final time at Shaw Air Force Base in

Sumter, SC. In 1977, after 20 years of service, James would retire from the United States Air

Force and choose to make Sumter his forever home with his late wife, Minnie. He would attend

Sumter Technical College, earning his Associate's Degree in General Technology with a

specialization in tool and die making, and go on to work for Cooper Tools until his retirement in

2000.

In his retirement, James would keep himself busy by continuing his education, receiving

certifications in CPR and real estate. He enjoyed riding his bike, fishing, traveling, hanging out

with friends and spending time at his favorite place Myrtle Beach. He would become an active

member of his church and as a man of deep faith, James would volunteer a lot of his time to

ministry outreach throughout his community. Because he was blessed, James was called to

bless others routinely donating to charities and causes he felt strongly about.

But above all else, James was a family man who loved being a father, grandfather, great-

grandfather and great great grandfather. He enjoyed vacations and talks with his children and

looked forward to his grand and then great grandchildren's summertime visits where he would

take them on base, to amusement parks, and to his beloved Myrtle Beach. And when he wasn't

spending time with his family, he was spending time with his neighbors who he considered

family and loved dearly.

After a full life, James passed on November 21, 2025, in Sumter, SC. He was preceded in death

by his mother, Inez Rose; brothers Milton Rose and Melvin Rose; his first wife, Minnie Rose, and

son, Otis Garrett. He is survived by his daughter, Francine Battle (Paul), five grandchildren -

Tristan Garrett Sr., Shanna Battle, Shea Battle, Samantha Battle, and Teneal Garrett - five great-

grandchildren – Amber Garrett, Kylee Battle, Kamari Gilliam, Amari Lane, and Tristan Garrett Jr.

- and one great-great-grandchild - Korryn Garrett, nephews William (Billy) Rose, Kermit Rose,

niece Nia Rose, goddaughter Aleka Simms (Gerald), and sister in law Emma Rose (Milton).

James will be remembered by those who loved him as a man of faith who cherished his family,

his friends and the community he lived in, making it his life mission to leave it better than he

found it.