Rose Watson

Rose Marie (Walker) Watson, 77, of Fulton, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
She was born on May 12, 1948 in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of James A. Walker and Alice Mae (White) Jackson. Her step father, Elmer "Shorty" Jackson, raised her as his own daughter since she was 2 years old. They eventually left the city of St. Louis and settled in Millersburg, MO, where Rose grew up making fun memories on the farm.
Rose graduated from Fulton High School in 1966. That same year, she married Ray Douglas Milner, in Millersburg, MO. Rose and Douglas had two children; a son, Douglas Bryan Milner, born March 27, 1967, and a daughter, Allison Marie Milner, born April 5, 1976. They divorced in 1980.
Rose was a very gifted writer and enjoyed working in the Editing Department for MFA Magazine in Columbia, Missouri.
In 1983, Rose decided to fulfill her dream of going to college. Rose earned her Bachelors Degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1986. She also had a love for teaching and enjoyed tutoring student athletes for the Mizzou Athletic Department.
She went on to marry again. Former spouses include Dan Watson of Missouri, Charles Dunn of Colorado, and Helmut Retzer of Colorado. After 2011, Rose remained single until her passing.
In 1988, Rose moved to Colorado and lived there for nearly 30 years. She spent much of her professional life in different positions throughout Colorado. She found her dream position as an Educational Event Planner for Larimer County Colorado Recycling Center where she combined her love for the environment with her gift for community engagement. She also authored a regular column on Recycling and Re-Purposing for Larimer County Newspaper. Rose retired in 2016 and settled in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Rose loved exploring Colorado and soaking up nature by hiking, gardening and bird watching. She was an avid reader with a book collection that incorporated various topics. Every Sunday morning, you could always find her at the kitchen table reading the local newspaper with her coffee. She valued intellectual challenges through crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit. She treasured art galleries, museums, attending live theater performances, and dining on ethnic cuisine.
Rose was a devoted mother and grandmother. She is survived by her son Douglas Bryan (Jenny) Milner, Austin, TX; daughter Allison Marie Milner, Columbia, MO; granddaughter Darby Stephens, Cleveland, TN; and grandson Trent Milner, Denver, CO. She is also survived by nieces Judith Leeper (Larry) Sparks, MO; Janice Leeper (Roger) Pointer, MO; nephews Robert (Barbara) Leeper, MO; Donald Leeper (Detlef) Walenter, Fort Lauderdale, FL; cousins Patricia White Mantle, MO; F. Wayne (Alicia) White, MO; Robert (Shirley) White, MO; and other great-nephews and nieces.
She is also survived by life-long friends. One special friend, Lois Long, has been such a blessing to Rose and her family, and they would like to extend a special thank you for her friendship.
Rose is proceeded in death by her mother Alice Mae White Jackson; James A. Walker (natural father) and Elmer Jackson (step father); Selma Old Kelle (half-sister); nephews John (Ruth) Leeper; Jerome Leeper and cousin James White.
In keeping with Rose's wishes, a memorial service will be held November 3, 2025, at 11:00 am at Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 E Ash St, Columbia MO 65203 followed by burial at New Hope Cemetery in Centertown, MO 65023.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
The services will be streamed for those who cannot be in attendance.