Rose Edna Wilson Beach

Rose Edna Wilson Beach, 84, died in her home on January 6, 2012, following a decades-long journey with Parkinson’s disease. Over the years, her physical body was overcome by this disease, but the kind, gentle spirit that was characteristic of this beautiful Christian woman never faded. She is lovingly remembered as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister, an aunt and a friend.

Rose was born on May 5, 1927, in the Beaver Dam Community of Watauga County, North Carolina, to William and Mollie Wilson. The daughter of tobacco farmers, Rose grew up with her five siblings in the North Carolina mountains during the depression years. At a very early age, she learned the value of hard work and the importance of working together to reach a common goal, a work ethic that was ever present in the many facets of her life.

She married Claude Beach in 1946, a union that thrived for 57 years. In 1950 they moved the family to Raleigh in search of employment opportunities. Rose and Claude lived in Raleigh for the remainder of their lives but always remembered with fondness their experiences growing up in the mountains and, whenever possible, they returned for visits.

Rose cherished her family. With loving remembrances of their mother are her six children and their spouses: Claudia Beach of Germantown, Maryland; Betty Gordon (Robert) of Raleigh; Patricia Beach (Mark Barden) of Raleigh; Shirley Church (Ron) of Angier; Jimmy Beach (Judy) of Garner; and Debbie Hooks (Al) of Cary. She was blessed with eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Other surviving family members include her sisters Elizabeth Clouse of Janesville, Wisconsin, and Hazel Day of Cary; and many nieces and nephews, some fondly remembering her as “Aunt Shorty.” She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Hugh and Woodrow and her sister Ruth.

Rose enjoyed a career in the restaurant business. In 1960, she became the first employee hired at the Angus Barn, beginning as a waitress who had the privilege of serving the restaurant’s first customer and retiring in 2002 as a senior dining room manager. She exemplified excellence in customer service, maintaining long-time relationships with many of the restaurant’s customers. In honor of her many years of service, the Angus Barn established the Rose Beach Award to recognize employees who consistently project an abundance of enthusiasm and eagerness on the job. Rose will be remembered for her dedication and genuine hospitality. She was passionate about her work and she loved being a member of the Angus Barn family of employees for 42 years.

Rose’s experience in the restaurant business provided a fitting background for her participation in the food ministry at Mount Olivet Baptist Church. While she served in many areas in her church, she will be remembered for preparing and serving church fellowship meals and delivering food to families in need. Rose loved the Lord and was a faithful long-time member of Mount Olivet. In recent years, when she was unable to attend regular services, her church family continued to bless her with prayers, visits, flowers and cards.

Rose enjoyed cooking, baking and working in her yard. She especially enjoyed working with her husband on his carpentry projects. Together, they built their lake house, a retreat for the enjoyment of family and friends.

Rose’s family expresses gratitude to the members of her healthcare team for making it possible for her to live in her home for the duration of her illness, including the many caregivers who provided loving, compassionate care over the past nine years; Dr. Rafael Moreschi and his staff; nurses from Amedisys Home Health; and Resources for Seniors and Interim Healthcare for supporting the family’s need for around-the-clock care for Rose.

Family visitation will be held on Monday, January 9, from 6 – 8 p.m., at Mitchell’s Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC. At other times, visitors are welcome at the family home.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 10, at 2 p.m. at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 3500 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC. A graveside service will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, Rose’s family requests that you honor her with a memorial contribution to one of these organizations that were important in her life: Mount Olivet Baptist Church; the Foundation of Hope which sponsors the Thad & Alice Eure Walk for Hope (www.walkforhope.com), 9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh NC 27617; or Resources for Seniors (www.resourcesforseniors.com), 1110 Navaho Drive, Suite 400, Raleigh NC 27609.