Dolores B. Rose

Tupelo—Dolores B. Rose passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at the Sanctuary Hospice House. She was 82 years of age. She was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on December 31, 1940 and was the daughter of Walter and Kathleen Morris Bowling. Dolores met the love of her life, Reginald Rose at Bluefield College in Virginia and they celebrated nearly 61 happy years of marriage. Rose supported Reginald during his years at Virginia Tech as well as throughout his career in furniture manufacturing which brought them to Tupelo. It was after their children were grown that Dolores found time to pursue and further her education by earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Mississippi. She then began her ten year career as a social worker with Cedars Health at Traceway. Her proudest accomplishment came during this time as she organized and began the Alzheimer Support Group which continues to offer help to families dealing with the disease. Dolores had a deep abiding faith in Christ which was shown through her faithfulness to Calvary Baptist Church where she had been a member since 1977. She was involved in many church activities which included leading the Women’s Missionary Union for several years. Also active in the community, Dolores was an avid supporter of Meals on Wheels and the Sanctuary Hospice House annual Celebration Village. She and Reggie were officially named as mayors of Celebration Village. Dolores loved growing flowers and maintaining an immaculate yard. Even though Reggie earned the title of master gardener, he always claimed Dolores was the better gardener of the two. She also enjoyed family times which included trips to Williamsburg, Virginia with her children and later with her grandchildren.

Dolores leaves behind four children, Elise Rose Otis and husband, Cavett, of Tupelo, David Rose and wife, Michelle, of Brandon, Kimberly Caron and husband, Dr. Richard Caron, of Tupelo and Kevin Rose, and wife, Elizabeth, of Tupelo; seven grandchildren, Leslie Pleasants and husband, Zack, Laura Zumwalt and husband, Casey, Will Otis and wife, Caitlin, Dr. Emilie Russell and husband, Will, Joshua Caron and wife, Erin, Helen Rose, and Walter Rose; four great-grandchildren, Rivers Otis, Griffin Otis, Joel Pleasants, and Emerson Pleasants; two brothers, Andrew Bowling and wife Linda and Randall Bowling and wife, Kay, all of Lynchburg, Virginia.

The family will celebrate Dolores’ life with a private family graveside service at Lee Memorial Park on Sunday, May 7, 2023 with Dr. John Boler officiating. Pegues Funeral Directors has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Her grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Her Sunday School Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803 or Calvary Baptist Church Missions or Renovations funds, 501 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.