Rose Margaret Elsey

Rose was born on March 10, 1929, in Zephyrhills, Florida, to Malcolm Mark Overstreet and Abbie Jeanette Prevatt Overstreet. In celebration of her birth, the town bell was rung—a fitting welcome for a woman whose life would be deeply rooted in family, service, and community. She took great pride in her deep Florida pioneer heritage and often enjoyed reminiscing about Florida before there were “Mouse Ears.” During her early married years, Rose lived and worked on a citrus grove in Central Florida, a chapter of her life she always remembered fondly.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Carl David Bronson, and her second husband, Lawrence Elsey; her three brothers, Stanley Overstreet, Charlie Mack Overstreet, and Jennings Overstreet; and her sister, Sarah Jeanette Autrey.

Rose is survived by her two children, Stanley Carl Bronson (Susan Secor Hume) and Carol Jeanette Fowler (James A. Fowler). She is also survived by six grandchildren and their spouses: Andrew David Fowler of Tokyo, Japan; Brian Carl Fowler of Fort Pierce, Florida; Dr. Aaron Bronson of West Palm Beach, Florida; Alissa Rose Bronson of West Palm Beach, Florida; Jeremy Bronson Fowler of St. Augustine, Florida; and Ethan Mark Bronson of West Palm Beach, Florida. She was the proud grandmother of twelve great-grandchildren, as well as a beloved aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.

Rose devoted many years to volunteer service in Indian River County. She volunteered for 13 years at the Indian River County Hospice House, offering comfort, compassion, and support to patients and families. She also volunteered for many years with WIRA Radio’s “Christmas Kids” program, a cherished community initiative supporting children in need during the holidays. In addition, Rose was a longtime supporter of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Boys Ranch and was honored with a plaque in recognition of her sustained and generous contributions.

Rose had a lifelong love of dancing, with big band music being her favorite. Her warmth, generosity, and steadfast commitment to family, heritage, and community will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her.