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Rose Roberts passed away at North Mississippi Medical Center in Pontotoc on January 8, 2021 due to COVID complications. She was the last surviving child of 13 born to Charlie and Rosa Nell Smith Dickerson on March 30, 1930 in Tippah County, Mississippi.
She was educated in the Blue Mountain and Ripley public schools. A 1948 graduate of Ripley High School, Rose continued her education at Wood Junior College where she completed her AA in 1949. In 1956, she earned her B.S. in education at Blue Mountain College. While at Blue Mountain, she was a member of the Eunomian Society. She served as a teacher in the Dumas, Centre, Ripley, Hickory Flat and Walnut Schools before becoming a social worker at the Tippah County Welfare Department in 1963.
In 1970, Rose completed her M.S.W. at Tulane University, which led to a long and well-recognized career in the field of child welfare and protection. She served as the supervisor of Region II of the MS Welfare Department, as well as, an expert witness for many years. Prior to her retirement, she was EEOC for the MS Department of Human Services. Upon her retirement from MS Department of Human Services, she served as a consultant with New Beginnings and provided necessary services required for local and overseas adoptions. Rose served as a board member of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Region III, as well as, a board member of the Northeast Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Mrs. Roberts volunteered often during her long life as a homeroom mother, Assistant Girl Scout Leader, Girl Scout Cookie Chairman, and Ripley High School Band parent working many a Friday night in the concession stand at Ripley High School athletic events. Her volunteering also included presentations to teens which encouraged healthy lifestyle choices.
Rose is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and War of 1812, a former member of Eastern Star and served as an Associate Professor in the Social Work Department at the University of Mississippi where she provided supervision to potential B.S.W. students during their field placement in the area of human services and child protection.
Rose is survived by her husband, the Honorable James L. Roberts, Jr. of Pontotoc. Her children are Pat Harrison (Dawna) of Collierville, TN; Ava Jordan of Columbus, MS and Kim Harrison of Mathiston, MS. Her grandchildren are Stacy (Joseph) Ferrante of Collierville, TN; Shannon (Ben) Brown of Lakeland, TN; Trey Jordan of Columbus, MS; Megan Jordan Hoglund of St. Francisville, LA; Gage Jordan of Murray, KY;Guy Bowles, Rob Bowles and Sarah Bowles of Ackerman, MS. She is also survived by 5 great grandchildren.
Rose was a devoted member of the Ripley First United Methodist Church and Pontotoc First United Methodist Church where she served in multiple capacities as choir director, choir member, pianist, Sunday School teacher, UMYF director, VBS, UMW, Board Member in many positions and Trustee.
Tutor Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of services led by Brother Brad Hodges on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Graveside services will be at Pontotoc Memorial Gardens at 2pm. Memorials may be given in her honor to the Pontotoc First United Methodist Church.
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