Rose M Brannon

Rose “Rosie” Maureen Phillips Brannon joined the celestial choir on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, passing quietly in her sleep in Marietta, Ga. A resident of Sterling Estates in Marietta, GA, Rose was born on March 10, 1926, to Harold Orange Phillips and Bridget Whyte Phillips in Lincoln, NE. She left behind the love of her life for 77 years, her husband, Lewis Albert Brannon, three children, Mark Brannon (Beth) of Bryson City, NC, Teresa Brannon Inman (John) of Bloomfield, IN, and Gail Brannon of Powder Springs, GA; grandchildren Melanie Brannon Derringer (Derrick), Jeffrey Brannon, Brian Miles (Stephanie), Shannon Inman Ruanto (Alan), Laura Inman Sumpter (Walter), and Jane Inman Stormer (Kevin); great grandchildren Drew Derringer, Bradley Derringer, Campbell Miles, Jackson Miles, Alex Ruanto, Wrenne Sumpter, and Jacob Sumpter; sister-in-law Dorothy Brannon Phillips of Vero Beach, FL; cousin Nancy Harris of Sarasota, FL; nieces Maureen Phillips of Chicago, IL, Cindy Engers of San Francisco, CA, Terry Arnold of Houston, TX, Mary Phillips of Moultonborough, NH, and Linda Phillips of San Diego, CA; nephews Mike Phillips of New Mexico, Bill Phillips of Nebraska, Mel Phillips of Boulder, CO, and many relatives in Ireland. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers William Phillips and Kevin Phillips, brother-in-law Jack Phillips, nephew Steve Phillips, niece Carol Phillips.

After growing up and attending schools in Lincoln, Rose continued her education at The University of Nebraska in Lincoln and joined the Chi Omega sorority, all the while working after high school and college classes to pay for expenses during her two years at the university. She met her future husband there, US Army Pfc. Lewis Brannon, who was stationed in Lincoln during World War II. He was sent to Lincoln as part of the Army Specialized Training Program for one year where he was awarded a degree in Mechanical Engineering. They were married on July 21, 1945, ten days after his return from Europe at the end of the war. Rosie and Lewie made their home in Atlanta where she thrived in the growing city, raising her three children, serving her church, and pursuing numerous creative activities.

A self-taught vocalist and later a student of Irene Calloway, she was a member of the Robert Shaw Chorale, the Fletcher Wolfe Chorale, and the Peachtree Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir serving as a soprano soloist. She shared her talent at numerous church and secular events including singing the lead solo at the Lighting of Rich’s Great Tree in 1966. Rose did nothing half-heartedly.

If you knew Rose for even a short time, you learned something about Ireland, her “second” home and her mother, Bridget’s, first home. Rose held dual citizenship with the Emerald Isle, presiding as president of the Atlanta Irish Georgian Society for seven years. Rose and Lewie loved to travel together and with family and friends. Rose visited Ireland 13 times which inspired her popular Irish travel programs (Ireland’s Eye), a series of slide shows with vocals where she shared “the natural beauty of the countryside and the warm hearted hospitality of the people.” She was invited by numerous clubs, churches and organizations to share over 200 Irish and other programs inspired by her travels. Rose did nothing half-heartedly.

Seeing a need to provide warmth to the disadvantaged and broaden a fading skill, Rose began a knitting ministry at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in 2007. At this time the “Knit Wits” have created and distributed over 2,000 items through the Salvation Army and similar agencies. Through this contact Rose became a member of the Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary and the Salvation Army Booth Society. Rose did nothing half-heartedly.

Rose joined Peachtree Presbyterian Church in 1946 and was very active in the church music programs, directing children’s choirs, serving as song leader for Sunday School classes and the Women of the Church for over 20 years. She was awarded a lifetime membership in Presbyterian Women (PCUSA). Rose did nothing half-heartedly.

In 2019 Rose was honored as a 75 year member of Chi Omega (Kappa/Nebraska chapter).

The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude for the professional and caring staffs at Sterling Estates-East Cobb, Longleaf Hospice, and Angel Companions, and especially to Rose’s special friend Tammy Wooten.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23, at Peachtree (Presbyterian) Church, 3434 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, Georgia 30305.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Salvation Army.