On May 31, 2014, Josephine Hedrick Rose entered the ‘greater life’. Born February 16, 1926, the devoted mother, wife, friend, and companion peacefully passed after a short illness.
A native of Davidson County, she was the daughter of Ollie Clemmons Hedrick and Leah Margaret Tickel Hedrick. She attended Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina for two years. She married Norman Ear Rose, Jr. on August 19 1944, in New London, Connecticut where he was serving in the Navy.
When Earl was released from active duty, they returned to Lexington, North Carolina where Earl was employed at the Lexington Dispatch, the local newspaper. Three sons were born to the union—Norman Earl Rose, III, Rodney Steven Rose, and David Dermont Rose.
In 1951, the family moved to Oxford, North Carolina to be near Josie’s brother, Dermont Hedrick. In 1966, they purchased Coble Printing Company. Josie worked at Coble for 35 years retiring in 2001.
A member of Oxford United Methodist Church, Josie taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She held many offices in the church and the United Methodist Women’s Society until her health sidelined her.
She is survived by one son, David; five grandchildren, Max Stephen Rose, Jett Mitchell-Rose, Hannah Rose, Eliza Rose, and Sadie Rose; three great grandchildren, James, David, and Winter Grace Rose; several nieces and nephews; a loving niece, Jane Hedrick Sullins; and a loving daughter in law, Karen Mitchell Schafer. She was preceded in death by two sons, Earl Rose, who was killed in Vietnam and Rod Rose.
At the convenience of the family, a graveside service will be held sometime this summer at the Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
