Rose Smith Obituary

On January 28, 2025, Rose Carolyn Askew Smith passed away peacefully at the age of 93, surrounded by family and loved ones. Rose grew up in Gadsden, Alabama until her marriage to George Auston Smith, Jr. on December 28, 1952. Rose and George soon moved to Anniston, Alabama where they lived, worked, raised a family, and served many parts of the community. Rose and George remained happily married together for seventy years until George's death on December 28, 2022. Rose is survived by her sons David Michael Smith (Virginia) and George Grant Smith, her sister Margaret Jewell Askew Collins, her cousins Jacqueline Sauls Simpson and James Carl Thomas Slattery, and her three grandchildren David Auston Smith, Everett Carruthers Smith and Virginia Gilder Smith. Rose had many friends, but her lifelong relationships with her sister Margaret and her cousin Jackie were the most special to her. The three of them were together recently for a family wedding and they all danced. Rose devoted her life to her family and worked passionately as a homemaker. She was sweet, modest, and shy. She was always there to love and support her husband George. She was legendary in the Anniston community for her warmth and kindness to everyone she encountered. She worked her entire adult life as a volunteer in First United Methodist Church of Anniston and also served as the accountant for the Church after her sons had their drivers' licenses. Rose was a proud member of the Anniston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was actively involved in the lives of her two sons and created a loving environment for them. She was a PTA President, Den Mother, Sports booster, chef and chauffeur, and an expert on when boys needed discipline and when they just needed love and understanding. For many years, she nurtured her secret source for orchids so her sons would always have the finest corsages for their prom dates. She cooked toffee bars with extra chocolate and left them warm and accessible for her sons' late night returns home. She has a unique, special place in the hearts of many boys, who are now older men, because they spent nights at the Smith's house in the 1960's and 1970's and loved her special hospitality. If ever a person was created to be a grandmother, Momma Rose was that person. Along with George, she loved helping raise her grandchildren, particularly at the lake. She spent many weekends while the grandchildren were young, taking care of them and hanging on every word they spoke. She loved to report the latest remarkable words spoken by her grandchildren. She made them wear life jackets even on the lake banks because she was very cautious and a little afraid of the water. Momma Rose will forever be a cherished memory for Auston, Everett and Virginia. Rose's family wishes to express its deep and sincere gratitude to Glenda Turner who provided personal friendship, cooking, driving, housekeeping, and other support to Rose and her family during the past eleven years. In lieu of flowers or other expressions of love, the family encourages gifts to the First United Methodist Church of Anniston, Alabama or to the charity of their choice. The family will have a private burial at Forrest Cemetery in Gadsden where she will rest beside her husband George.