Rosalie Poage

Rosalie Poage was born Rosalie Gilpin on August 1, 1920 in Heard County, Georgia. Her parents (Alice and Wheeler Gilpin) and her grandparents were farmers and laborers. In childhood Rosalie learned to work hard. Her family was hit hard by the deprivations of the Great Depression. As an adult she still recalled the embarrassment of having to accept government rations, and she was known throughout her life as a fiercely independent, resourceful person. There were times when she only kept her family together by working long hours at hospitals and textile mills, struggling to make ends meet.

Married in 1939 to Paul Taylor Poage, Rosalie raised a family and provided daycare for the infants and children of working mothers in her neighborhood. She was loved and admired by her many friends, and known for her dark-edged sense of humor. Whenever circumstances looked as bleak as they could possibly get, and then got worse, Rosalie was at her best--coping, managing, planning, and cracking wise. She taught us to take action, to keep going, to walk one more mile. To a great extent she made all of us--four daughters, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and another generation on the way--the strong individuals that we are. We will not forget her.

Date of death: Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011