Miriam Grace Davis Rose

Mrs. Miriam Grace Davis Rose, 93,  died on February 1, 2024  at Magnolia Glen in Raleigh. Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 6, at 11:00 am  at Rose and Graham Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. Michael G. Cogdill and Rev. Dr. Lawrence B. Powers. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery. 

Mrs. Rose was born in Rocky Mount on May 10, 1930 to the late Jasper Wendell and Grace Taylor Davis. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James Wood (Jimmie) Rose and sister, Jacqueline Davis Robbins.  Mrs. Rose graduated from Rocky Mount High School and the Women’s College in Greensboro with a degree in Business Education. 

After graduation, Miriam and Jimmie married on June 22, 1952, and made Benson their home.  After raising her family, she worked as a teacher assistant at Benson Elementary School. She then worked alongside  Jimmie and family at Rose and Graham Funeral Home as a secretary/bookkeeper, became a licensed funeral director, and served as vice-president of the corporation. 

Mrs. Rose was a member of Benson Baptist Church, where she was a charter member of the Ruth Davis Circle and served as President of the Women’s Missionary Union, taught adult Sunday School classes, became church clerk, and was instrumental in the funeral meal ministry. 

Miriam and Jimmie were very active in serving the community of Benson and beyond. Miriam was a charter member of Benson Civitan Club.  Together, they honored their parents by establishing the Davis Rose scholarship at Campbell University Divinity School. Forming friendships while attending functions at Campbell University, traveling with Jimmie, spending time at their home in Atlantic Beach, and cheering for the Tar Heels at football and basketball games were some of her greatest joys. 

First and foremost, Miriam was a  mother.  She unconditionally loved her daughters and their husbands, grandchildren and their spouses, and great grandchildren. She supported each of them by attending ballgames, dance recitals, band concerts, and any of their activities. Her home was always open to her friends, her children’s friends, and others.  She was often called “my second mother” by many.

Surviving are her daughters and sons-in-law, Anne and Winn Graham of Surf City, Ellen and Tommy Benton of Swansboro, and Jane and Clay Pope of Benson; grandchildren and spouses, Williams and Ashley Graham of Whispering Pines, Brooke and Mitch Ferguson of Clayton, Thomas and Anne Benton of Roswell, Georgia, Katy and JD Wyborny of Clayton, Dellon and Taylor Pope of Winterville, and Austin and Alexa Pope of Kernersville; great grandchildren, Wyatt and Peyton Graham, Emmalyn, Madelyn, and Lochlan Ferguson, Knox, Jack, and Sam Benton, Lainey and Benton Wyborny, Reid and Sarah Grace Pope, and Davis Pope; and nephew and family, Greg and Lisa Robbins, Tanner and Sara Robbins, and Grace Robbins. 

The family would like to express their gratitude to Miriam’s caregivers, Sophie Randall, Anne Karianjahi, Alice Mukudente, and Christine Kiggima, and Lauren Miglarese PA-C, for their steadfast and loving care. 

Family will receive friends Monday, February 5, from 6-8 pm, at Rose and Graham Funeral Home, Benson. 

Flowers are welcomed, however memorials may be made to Benson Baptist Church, PO Box 323, Benson, NC 27504 or the Davis Rose Scholarship Fund, Campbell University Divinity School, PO Drawer 4050, Buies Creek, NC 27506.