Annie Mae Dowdy Rose
Annie Mae Dowdy Rose, 87, of Rockingham County and formerly of Nellysford, Manassas and Covington, died Monday, July 1, 2024 at The Phoenix Assisted Living Community in Rockingham County.
Mrs. Rose was born October 7, 1936, in Buckingham County, a daughter of the late Horace Christian and Elsie Florine Griffith Dowdy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Madison Carter; and one sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Pete Carlin.
Annie Mae graduated from George Washington High School in 1955 and from Ferrum Junior College in 1957, where she met the love of her life, John “Bob” Robert Rose, Sr. The two then transferred to Emory & Henry College, where Annie Mae graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education in 1959. She began her professional career as a Business Education teacher at Glade Spring High School before moving to Covington and teaching 8th grade math at Jeter Junior High School until 1963. She continued her teaching career at NOVA Community College until 1985, when she opened her own interior decorating business that she ran until her retirement in 1995. Annie Mae was Head Cheerleader during her time at both Ferrum and Emory & Henry, was the Cheerleading sponsor at Ferrum from 1969 until 1972, a Cub Scout Den Mother for her three boys, and a devoted Little League “Mom” for football and baseball from 1977 to 1984. Annie Mae was a member of Granberry Memorial United Methodist Church in Covington, Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, and Rockfish Presbyterian Church in Nellysford. She was an avid Virginia Tech Hokies supporter and fan.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, John “Bob” Robert Rose, Sr. of Rockingham County and formerly of Nellysford, Manassas and Covington; three sons, John Rose, Jr. and his wife, Karen, of Harrisonburg, Mike Rose and his wife, Amy, of Chesterfield, and Andy Rose and his wife, Laura of Culpeper; six grandchildren, Meredith (Cody) Carter, Sarah (Travis) Moss, Emma Rose, Sydney Rose, Alex Rose, and Christian Rose; two great-grandchildren, Mason Carter and Bennett Moss; brothers and sisters, T. William (Dorothy) Dowdy of Buckingham County, Ron E. (Mary Ellen) Dowdy of Orlando, FL, Reba (Bill) Burkett of Hickory, NC, and Larry (June) Dowdy of Fairfax; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Inger Manchester officiating. The family will receive their friends on Friday evening from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the funeral home.
Interment will be made in Persinger Memorial Cemetery.
Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the VT Hokie Club, PO Box 10307, Blacksburg, VA 24062-0307 in memory of Annie Mae Rose.
Friends wishing to send condolences online may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.
