James "Jimmie" Rose

Benson, NC:  Mr. James Wood “Jimmie” Rose, age 82, of 502 West Harnett Street died Monday, July 30, 2012, at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield.  Funeral Services will be 11:00AM Thursday, August 2, 2012, at Rose & Graham Funeral Chapel.  Officiating will be Dr. Michael Cogdill, Dr. Gaylord Lehman, and Rev. Charles Royal.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery. Mr. Rose was born in Benson on May 23, 1930 to the late James Hiram Rose, Jr. and Leola Wood Rose.  He graduated from Benson High School, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science.  In 1953, after receiving his funeral service license, he joined his father in Rose and Company, a furniture store and funeral home. He remained active in funeral service and was President Emeritus with Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson, Coats, and Four Oaks.  Mr. Rose was a member of the N. C. Funeral Directors Association and served as its President in 1974-1975. Mr. Rose was a lifelong member of Benson Baptist Church where he was a deacon. He served in numerous capacities, including Sunday School Superintendent, chairman of the deacon board, and member of the building committees.  He was a charter and life member of Benson Lions Club.  He was named a Melvin Jones Fellow and served as District Governor 31-H of N. C. Lions. Mr. Rose was a member of Relief Lodge #431 and was a past master.  He received the Diamond Jubilee award in 2011 for 60 years of membership.  A member of the Benson Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Rose served as its president.  He received the Citizen of the Year award in 1961 and was the chair of the committee that helped to locate I-40 near Benson.  Mr. Rose was also on the Board of Directors of the State Annual Singing Convention.  Mr. Rose was a trustee for Campbell University and served on its Presidential Board of Advisors, the Advisory Board for the Divinity School, and the School of Osteopathic Medicine.  Surviving are wife of 60 years, Miriam Davis Rose; daughters & sons-in-law, Anne & Winn Graham of Benson, Ellen & Tommy Benton of Kinston, and Jane & Clay Pope of Benson; grandchildren & spouses, Williams & Ashley Graham of Aberdeen, Brooke Graham & Mitch Ferguson of Clayton, Thomas & Anne Benton of Augusta, GA, Katy Benton of Greenville, Dellon Pope of Benson, and Austin Pope of Benson; great-granddaughter, Emmalyn Grace Ferguson; sister-in-law, Jackie D. Robbins of Rocky Mount; and nephew & family, Greg, Lisa, Tanner, and Grace Robbins of Wilson. Family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Wednesday, August 1, 2012. Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be made to Benson Baptist Church Property Fund, P. O. Box 323, Benson, NC  27504; Davis-Rose Scholarship Fund, Campbell University Divinity School, P. O. Drawer 4050, Buies Creek, NC 27506; or SECU Hospice House, P.O. Box 1376, Smithfield, NC  27577.