Gladys Rose

Gladys Blackmon Rose, 92, passed from this life on earth to be with her Lord on Monday, November 2, 2009. She was born August 9, 1917 in Columbia, LA, the daughter of Rev. Irvin Jackson Blackmon and Martillie Busby Blackmon.

Gladys was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Robert Chester Rose, Sr., Robert’s son, Robert Chester Rose Jr., and her sister, Ola Blackmon Reynolds.

She is survived by her son, Charles D. Rose and his wife, Mary Ann of Dallas, TX; two daughters, Barbara Martin and her husband Jim of Benton, AR and Martha Lower and her husband, John of New Smyrna Beach, FL, and her daughter-in-law, Norma Downing Rose of Many, LA. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Gladys attended Draughon Business School and worked as a secretary in Monroe, LA until she married Robert and moved to Corpus Christi, TX. They relocated to Shreveport and then New Orleans. At the end of World War II, they moved to a farm in Darnell, LA where they raised their three children. Gladys was an active member of New Prospect Baptist Church where her father was the founding pastor. She was a Worthy Matron with the Order of the Eastern Star in Oak Grove, LA. Gladys was an outstanding gardener and cook. She devoted much of her time caring for her elder family members, and also worked as a Pink Lady in Oak Grove.

After her husband’s death in 1982, Gladys moved to Benton, AR where she resided until her death. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Benton. Visitation will be at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home in Benton (501-315-4047) on Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with the funeral services immediately following. There will be a graveside service at the Unity Cemetery in Pioneer, La at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2009. Gladys’ grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL, 60601 (alz.org).