Robert Edward “Bob” Rose, 85, of Demorest, Georgia, entered his eternal rest at home surrounded by his family on May 24, 2021.
He was born December 3, 1935, in Grenada, Mississippi, to Milton Henry Rose, Sr. and Rachel Jackson Rose. He was predeceased by both parents and his oldest brother, Milton Henry “Jim” Rose, Jr.
Bob grew up in Grenada County, MS, at the tail end of the Depression. He was the baby of the family until 10 years later, when his baby brother was born, at which point he quickly ran away from home to his aunt’s house, but only for a short time. His hard-working father ran a sawmill, and it was there that Bob’s incredible work ethic began. His father said that he was the best planer he had ever seen. At the age of 16, he attended a Billy Graham crusade in Jackson, MS, and there he met his Savior, Jesus Christ, and would serve Him for the rest of his life.
At the age of 18, he joined the Air Force and served from 1954-1962 in 526 FIS as a jet engine mechanic and Staff Sergeant during the Cold War at Ramstein AFB, Germany. His sister introduced him to the love of his life, Floyce, and they married 5 months later May 3, 1958. After his service in the Air Force, he began a lifelong career selling sawmill equipment around the US and Canada. While residing in Baraboo, WI, he was a partner at Lindsey & Rose Machinery, Inc. In 1976, he returned to his home state of Mississippi and started his own business, Rose Machinery, Inc., in Greenwood until 2003.
During his traveling salesman years, Bob often helped hitchhikers and anyone who needed food or clothing. Bob was a godly man of integrity, and there are not enough words to describe him fully. He was outgoing, humorous, and interested in everyone’s story, and especially enjoyed sharing the love of Jesus with new friends. Bob enjoyed all people and delighted in holding babies, supporting his grandchildren in their school and sporting activities, and a strong, fresh, hot cup of coffee. He was infamous for orderer’s remorse at restaurants and wanting to taste everyone else’s food.
He was a classic car collector and restorer and was his happiest planting trees and flowers and digging the perfect hole. Since he didn’t have any sons, his four daughters were taught the difference between various tools and how to pass the 3/8 wrench, to hold a flashlight correctly, and how to detail a car. More importantly, though, he showed them what a generous provider, a fierce protector, and a loving father looked like.
Bob was a member and deacon at Level Grove Baptist Church and had been active in churches at each place he and his family lived, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia. They made lifelong friends in each church and stayed in close touch with them. He was a dedicated friend to all.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Floyce Herring Rose of Demorest, and four adoring daughters: Terri (Mike) Kirby of Brandon, MS; Becky (Dr. Holton) King of Mount Airy, GA; Jill (Chris) Chandler of Georgetown, TX; and Dr. Jana Rose (Dave Wehrstein) of Demorest, GA; sister Betty Thompson of Grenada, MS; brothers Jack (Mary Edna) Rose of Baton Rouge, LA; Bill (Carolyn) Rose of Holcomb, MS; and Ben (Mary) Rose of Meridian, MS; 11 treasured grandchildren, Emily Tate, Tara Spencer, Thomas Kirby, Erin King, Mitchell King, Haley King, Carter King, Kevin Chandler, Eric Chandler, Ava Wehrstein, Jake Wehrstein, and 12 great-grandchildren.
His pallbearers will be his six grandsons.
The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at Level Grove Baptist Church, with Dr. Brian James and Rev. Ryan Spencer officiating. Interment will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force and Grant Reeves Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel.
A livestream of the Service will be available on the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory Facebook page at facebook.com/whitfieldfh.
Flowers are welcome, and memorial donations may be made to the Glorify Building Fund of Level Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 416, Cornelia, Georgia 30531, or to the Lottie Moon Mission Fund, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, 23230
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.
