Helen Rose

Helen Laurene Baldwin Rose, 94, transitioned from earth life on April 6, 2013, at her home in Beaverdam, Va. surrounded by her children. She was born on May 14, 1918, in Glen Elder, Kan. Her love of books from an early age inspired her to accumulate many titles in the areas of science, religion, philosophy and new age thinking. She was a Truth-seeker. Laurene was a current member of Unity of Richmond, and a former member of Unity of Savannah and Glebe Landing Baptist Church in Laneview, Va. Laurene was married to Elvin L. Rose, Sr. who became a bridge builder and resided in Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and Maryland after moving east from Missouri. She married Elvin on October 20, 1938. She was devoted to the love of her life, Elvin, and her seven children were her greatest joy. She looked forward to visits from children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with excitement. Her cat, Pumpkin, and granddogs, Valentine and Paris miss her already. Laurene volunteered in community activities and school events. One of her proudest accomplishments was serving as president of the Mid-South Federation of the Theosophical Society in America. Laurene loved nature and all living things. Laurene was the youngest of three children born to her parents, Silas Leon and Grace Coutant Baldwin of Fulton. Her older brother, Louis, died at age 13 months before Laurene was born and her older sister, Violet, was her constant companion. At age seven she lost her mother in a tragic accident. Her father re-married Conzle Adams and she was delighted when baby sister, Conza, and baby brother, Herbert, were welcomed into the family. All of her siblings preceded her in death. She was preceded in death by: her husband, Elvin L. Rose, Sr.; and oldest daughter, Jacqueline Rose Ellers. She is survived by: six children, daughter, Helen Diane Rose of Williamsburg, Va.; sons, Elvin L. (Larry) Rose, Jr. and wife, Jennie of Mechanicsville, Va., Ronald L. (Ron) Rose and wife, Delores of Savannah, Ga., Robert A. (Bob) Rose and wife, Sharlene of Savannah, Ga.; and daughters, Elsie Rose Shank and husband, Lyall of Beaverdam, Va., and Elizabeth Rose (Liz) Moore and husband, Robert of Eden, Ga.; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; an Uncle, Clyde Garman, age, 103 years old, of Tuscon, Ariz.; brother-in-law, Gilbert Rose and wife, Ruth of Fulton; sisters-in-law, Seda Baldwin of Fairview Heights, Ill., and Jeanne Betchy of Chesapeake, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her children living in Virginia, Diane, Larry and Elsie Rose will receive friends at Bliley's Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Rd., Thursday, April 11, 2013, from 6 - 8 pm. A celebration of her life will be held at Unity of Richmond, 800 Blanton Avenue, Richmond, VA at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Later that same day at 3 p.m. a brief service will be held and her ashes will be interred next to her husband, Elvin, at Glebe Landing Baptist Church, Laneview, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to Unity of Richmond, 800 Blanton Ave., Richmond, VA, 23221 or The Wildlife Center of Virginia, P.O. Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA, 22980.