Velma Ann Graves Rose

Velma Ann Graves Rose was born on July 29, 1931 to Thomas Canon Graves and Velma Barnes Graves of the Hebron Community. She attended Hebron School, then high school and junior college at Jones County Junior College. It was at JCJC where she met the love of her life, Willard Ray Rose, Sr. He said that she was the prettiest and sweetest girl he had ever seen, and still was. Ann and Willard were blessed with 64 years of marriage. She passed away from this earth at home, on her way to her eternal home in Glory! Ann was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Tom Graves of the Hebron Community, Benjamin Graves and sister-in-law, Hazeline of Huntsville, AL; sisters: Elizabeth June Graves of the Hebron Community, Jayme Doris Sims and brother-in-law, W. J. Sims of the Sharon Community; and infant sister Emma Jean Graves. Ann is survived by her husband, Willard Ray Rose, Sr.; 4 children: Willard Ray Rose, Jr., Deborah Rose Pitts (Tony), Laura Rose Fitzgerald (Frankie) and Richard Douglas Rose (Rita). She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Heather Halley (Jeremiah), Ashlee Shiver (Jared), Nilrey Rose, Wayne Pitts (Lori), Jennifer Pitts, Courtney Pogue (Aaron), Sara Freeman (Cody), David Rose, Daniel Rose, Allison Smith (Scott), Ryan Reid (Kayce), and Derek Reid (Casey). She is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren: Cooper Reid, Lyssa Halley, Isabelle Halley, Gracie Shiver, Emma Shiver, Isabelle Pitts, Reece Pogue, Brylan Pogue, Cora Freeman, AnnaKate Rose, Preston Smith, Sawyer Smith, Foxx Reid, Cass Reid, Finn Reid, Fischer Reid, and Tate Reid. Other survivors include a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and very dear friends. Ann was a lady of many talents. She taught school at Hebron Community School prior to her and Willard’s marriage. Afterwards, she followed him to his airline jobs in Mobile, AL where Ray and Debbie were born and in Huntsville, AL where Laura was born. They later returned to the Hebron Community to help with Ann’s parents in the dairy farm. During this time, Richard was born in Laurel, MS. Some years later, Ann went to work at Headrick’s Furniture and then Dixie Electric, where she retired at the age of 62 after having a heart attack. They had moved to the NEJ community during this where all their children graduated high school. And their last move and home was to Covington County. She was a wonderful cook and truly loved cooking favorite dishes for her family and friends. She liked to read, travel, and garden flowers and vegetables. She was a member of Lowery Creek Baptist Church. Most of all she will be remembered for her Christian love and kindness to everyone. Many have said she was an angel sent from God and the sweetest lady ever. She was a loyal mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Funeral arrangements are: Visitation Wednesday, April 6 from 5:00 – 8:00p.m. at Memory Chapel in Laurel and Funeral Thursday, April 7 at 2:00 p.m. at Lowery Creek Baptist Church. Graveside service will follow at the Hebron Cemetery. Visitation will also be at the church on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Grandsons Wayne Pitts, David Rose, Daniel Rose and nephews Phil Sims, Tommy Sims and Paul Sims, Honorary Pallbearers will be Bobby Acord, Jim Rose and Russell Rose. The family would like to express their appreciation and thanks to Dr. Jack Evans with Laurel Family Clinic and to Dr. Joseph Proli and Ken with the Heart Care Center for their loving care and concern during this time. To sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Velma Ann Graves Rose

July 29, 1931 - April 4, 2016