VILLAGE—Rebecca Mae Benson Rose, 89, passed away to her heavenly home surrounded by her beloved family on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately called her “Nanny,” “Nanny Rose” and “Grandma Rose.” She fought a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia but her big smile never faded.
She was born on Monday, April 1, 1935, to the late Joseph Henry Benson Sr. and Sarah Rebecca West Benson in Weems.
Rebecca was raised in the Northern Neck and attended Lancaster County Schools. In the fourth grade, she was introduced to a young boy named Walter H. Rose and their love blossomed. At the age of 15, she married the love of her life and they began a long love-filled life together. Rebecca and Walter had six children and raised them in a household with Christian values. As a family, they attended both Wesley Presbyterian Church in Weems and Grace Bible Baptist Church in Callao.
Rebecca was an exceptional artist. She loved painting, making ceramics, sewing, embroidery and crocheting. Painting was her true passion. She and Walter had a little shop called Sunrise Ceramics and Woodcrafts where they would create beautiful pieces together for the community. She was the queen of playing croquet, cornhole, and cards and she would win almost every round.
Nanny and Pop-Pop’s house was the place to be on the holidays. Celebrating on Christmas Eve with yummy food, giving gifts and playing games always brought special memories. Her family loved when she would make her delicious “nanny’s pancakes” with Kings Syrup on the side, butter beans and dumplings, “who-hash,” meatloaf and burgers and her lemon meringue pies.
Nanny had a love for “all the pretty things.” She loved flowers, clothes, jewelry, home furnishings and decor, accessories and anything that shimmered and shined. In her garden, she grew beautiful flowers like roses, peonies and azaleas.
Rebecca is survived by her loving children, Teresa Marie Schools (Ernest), Janet Carol Rose, Walter Harvey Rose Jr. (Laura) and Robert Allen Rose (Brenda); 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; brother, Larry G. Benson (Nancy); many nieces and nephews; and extended family members and friends.
Rebecca was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter Harvey Rose Sr.; her parents; and her siblings, Joe Benson Jr., Johnny Benson, Donald Benson, Ruth Dawson and Elsie Crabbe; and her precious daughters, Rebecca Lorriane Rose and Vicky Lynn Rose.
A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 29, at Currie Funeral Home in Kilmarnock. Family received friends one hour prior to the service. Interment followed the service at Wesley Presbyterian Church in Weems.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. She was devoted to contributing to the hospital regularly and collected donations in homemade decorated jars at local businesses.
