Rose Marie LaCroix

Rose Marie LaCroix departed this life on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi, at the age of 85. She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was born on November 14, 1937, in her grandmother’s house in Covington, Tennessee, the daughter of James Leon Cates, Sr. and Viola Elizabeth Smith Cates. Rose married Clarence LaCroix on May 16, 1957. They had 66 wonderful years together.
She had been a resident of Saltillo, Mississippi, for the past 22 years. She loved her Mississippi friends, but still considered herself to be a Tennessean at heart.
She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. Her love for the Lord was obvious to all who knew her. She loved studying her Bible over her morning cup of coffee. Teaching God’s Word brought her much joy. Her grandchildren will always remember Family Bible School with her during their growing up years.

She is survived by her husband, Clarence LaCroix; a daughter, Deborah Lansdell and her husband Hermon; a son, Donald LaCroix and his wife Donna; two sisters, Martha (Snookie) LaCroix, and Jean Pickett; one brother, Robert (Butch) Cates and his wife Sheryl; a brother-in-law, Russell Ray; a sister-in-law, Ruby Barber; four grandchildren, Kyle LaCroix and his wife Jordan, Ryan LaCroix and his wife Maddie, Lisa Lansdell, and Shawn Lansdell; two step grandsons, Michael Lansdell and his wife Nancy and Kevin Lansdell and his wife Julie; two great grandchildren, Ian Lansdell and Chloe Grace Lansdell; and her sister-in-law, Pat Cates. She had a special “adopted” family Eun Seob, Mireh, San Ha and Shane Han. She also leaves behind many special nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stillborn son, Clarence Ray LaCroix, Jr.; a brother, James Leon Cates Jr.; a sister, Nell Ray; two brothers-in-law, Fred LaCroix and Max Pickett.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Pegues, Saltillo. Services Celebrating Rose’s life will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Pegues Funeral Home in Saltillo, Mississippi with John Carter officiating. Burial will be 11a.m. Monday, September 25, 2023 at Memphis Memory Gardens (6444 Raleigh LaGrange Road, Memphis, Tennessee).

Pallbearers will be Kyle LaCroix, Ryan LaCroix, San Ha Han, Michael Lansdell, Kevin Lansdell, and Shawn Lansdell.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Memphis, Tennessee.

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