Martha Mae Kent Rose

Martha Mae (Kent) Rose, 86, of Clay Lick Road, Nashville, died August 28, at the South Central Indiana Hospice in Columbus following a stroke and short illness. Mrs. Rose was born in Belmont, Indiana, May 23, 1925, to Charles and Ethel (Deckard) Kent, the fourth of five children. Her father was a farmer and teacher in Brown County’s one-room schoolhouses. Mrs. Rose was graduated from Nashville High School in 1944 and loved speaking and recital, winning an award in grade school made of sapphire-colored glass. For many years at Christmas, Mrs. Rose loved to deliver “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” much to the enjoyment of her family.

On October 19, 1945, she married P. Leon Rose, son of Ralph B. and Rosie (Rariden) Rose, and who had recently returned from naval service in World War II. Mrs. Rose worked for over twenty-five years for the Brown County School Corporation at both Nashville Elementary and later the high school as the cafeteria cashier.

Mrs. Rose was a member of the Parkview Church of the Nazarene and the Parkview Quilters, the North American Bluebird Society, and served on the board of the Deckard Family Reunion. Mrs. Rose was known for her baking and desserts, especially dill bread, persimmon pudding, and peanut butter pie. She supplied the latter to Ye Olde Fish House in Columbus, to her church congregation, and to other local organizations. Mrs. Rose enjoyed quilting, cooking, travel, crochet, euchre, road trips with her husband, and IU basketball.

Mrs. Rose is survived by her husband, Leon, and two sons, Dennis (Kris) Rose and Michael (Rod Smith) Rose; one grandchild, Nichole Rose; her brother, Robert Dale Kent; and her dog, Sugar. She was preceded in death by one son, Roger Lee Rose, a veteran of the Vietnam War; a sister, Opal Marie Kent; and two brothers, Leo Quenton Kent and Charles Edmond Kent.

Visitation is at the Parkview Church of the Nazarene, Tuesday, August 30, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor David Hayes officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Nashville.

The family suggests to friends who wish that memorial contributions be given to the charity of their choice.