Kenneth Adrian Rose, 101, was born December 31, 1915 in Yokum, TX and died January 2, 2017 in Holly Springs, MS. He was the son of Alfred Percy Rose, Hickory Valley, TX and Edna Lucille Jones Rose, Holly Springs, MS. He graduated from Holly Springs High School and eventually married his high school sweetheart, Mary Florence McMahon, a then student at Blue Mountain College. They moved to their favorite town, Okolona, MS where he managed a five and ten center store. When World War II began all five Rose “boys” enlisted. Two in the Army and three in the Navy. Adrian (Navy) served in the South Pacific. After serving he returned to Holly Springs and worked as manager of the Kroger store on the north side of the town square. He later purchased the store and named it Rosie’s Grocery. In 1968 he sold the store and then worked for his great friend, Collins Spencer at Spencer Candy Company. Collins allowed him to use the vending truck to help Adrian’s son, Kenney (Kenneth) in the house painting business. After regular work hours he painted 4-5 hours per day, six days a week until the age of 87. His last paint job was the concrete front steps of his beloved church, Holly Springs Methodist at the age 97. In addition to serving his church he enjoyed traveling with Kenney and Rixie since his sweet Mary Florence went to be with her precious Lord in 2003. At the age of 91 Adrian joined Kenney and Rixie rafting the Athabaska River in Alberta, Canada. He also enjoyed raising pecans. He was a first patriot who loved his country.
He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Mary Florence; grandson, Scott Rose; and a great great granddaughter Anabella Rose, age 5, who died on January 1, 2017. He was also predeceased by his four brothers, Melville (Christine), Irvin (Ruth), Glenn (Millie), Gerald (Elizabeth) and his only sister Gladys Rose Jones (Wilson Sr.)
He is survived by his only child Kenneth (Rixie) of Red Banks, MS and two grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. He also had fond memories of cards from and conversations with special nieces Delores Jones Brittenum of Houston, TX and Patricia Rose Langley of McDonough, Georgia.
Adrian lived in his home, assisted by Kenney and Rixie for the last three and a half years, with his last few days at Alliance Hospital in Holly Springs, MS.
A visitation will be held Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 10:00am at the Holly Springs Funeral Home with a service at 11:00am in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Hill Crest Cemetery.
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