She was born on May 28, 1927 in Rockingham County and was the daughter of the late Raymond Garber and Roberta Charlton Miller.
Rosie graduated from Bridgewater High School and the Shenandoah College Conservatory of Music. After college, Rosie worked for an attorney and a realtor and then worked for the admissions office at James Madison University for many years.
Rosie was an accomplished musician. She started playing the piano for church in the 5th grade and played the organ for St. James United Methodist Church for over 30 years. She played the piano every day.
On June 1, 1947 she married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Carroll Early.
During Bob and Rosie’s 67 years of marriage, they enjoyed many hours touring in their 1915 Model T Ford, up and down the East Coast with the Antique Car Club of America. They also spent years of fun boating at Smith Mountain Lake with family and friends.
Throughout her lifetime she was very involved with the church and its many activities, including the choir and various committees.
She is survived by her children, Vickie Belcher and Rebecca “Becky” Early; grandchildren, Renee Guerin and husband, Eric, Christopher Legg and wife, Misty, Sarah Belcher O’Keiff and husband, Conor, Matthew Belcher and companion, Julie Hannah, Benjamin Belcher and Katlyn Early; great-grandchildren, Amanda, Isabella and Sabien Guerin, Corin and Mason Legg, Conor and Elizabeth O’Keiff.
She is also survived by her sister, Rita Jane “Janie” Miller Trobaugh and brother J. Richard Miller.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert C. Early and a daughter, Susan Early Legg; and her brothers, Raymond G. Miller, Jr. and Robert C. Miller; and a son-in-law, Dennis Irl Belcher.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm, on Friday, December 28, 2018 at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
A committal service will be held at St. Jacob’s Spader’s Lutheran Church Cemetery 11:00 am, on Saturday, December 29, 2018 with Rev. Carrie Talbott officiating. A memorial service will follow at St. James United Methodist Church at 11:30 am.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 370, Pleasant Valley, Virginia 22848.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.
