Jerry Lee Rose

Jerald Lee (Jerry) Rose went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 7, 2024, after a brief illness. His wife of nearly fifty-two years, Frances Hodge Rose, and several of his family members were at his bedside in his home in Morristown. Jerry was respected and loved for his steady character and faithfulness in all that he did.  He lived a life of quiet contentment and stability, and served as an example of how to enjoy and share any blessing bestowed from above, most importantly the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Anyone calling but failing to reach Jerry by phone for the past several decades was greeted with this message of encouragement on his answering machine: “Remember, whatever kind of day you are having, Jesus loves you.”Jerry was born in Browns, IL on April 24, 1933. He was a thirteenth generation descendant of Robert Rose who immigrated from England to Plymouth, MA in 1634, and who was one of nine “Explorers” credited with founding the first settlement in the current State of Connecticut.  Jerry’s direct ancestor relocated to Illinois in the 1840’s, where his family became wholesale merchants. When Jerry was only six years old his father Floyd died suddenly. His mother Helen subsequently remarried and the new family relocated to Anderson, IN when Jerry was nine.  Growing up in his new home, Jerry made many friends, enjoyed playing sports, and excelled in academics and extracurricular affairs.  He graduated in the top ten in his class of over 450 at Anderson High School, where he also served as editor-in-chief of the school yearbook.  He received a scholarship to DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, where he enrolled in the fall of 1951. Jerry left school to marry and start a family. He subsequently began a career with the dry-cleaning manufacturer Force, Inc. The company relocated to Morristown in August, 1961, and was renamed Forenta, Inc. Jerry and his family made the move also, thus beginning his sixty-three year love affair with the region, its people, and, of course, its Tennessee Volunteers. Jerry and Frances married in December, 1972, joining together to share their lives and raise their seven children. Shortly after moving to Morristown, Jerry and his family joined First Christian Church. The fellowship would occupy a central role for the remainder of Jerry’s life.  He taught the You & I Sunday School class for over thirty years. He also served as deacon, elder, treasurer, and chairman of the missions committee periodically for over six decades. Jerry and Frances continued to serve together in various service ministries right up to the time Jerry’s illness confined him to his home last month. At Forenta Jerry distinguished himself over a thirty-five year career, advancing from parts clerk to planning superintendent, to vice-president and, ultimately, president and part-owner.  After a successful tenure as president, Jerry retired in 1990 to enjoy more time and travel with Frances, more sports spectating at UT, and more service to his church family at FCC. Jerry was preceded in death by his brother Winfred Rose, his daughter Lori Rose, and granddaughter Alix Rose.  He is survived by his wife Frances, his sons Randall (Kelly), Carl (Ruthie) and Scott (Jennifer) Rose, and his step-children Lee (Mark) Workman, Ray (Belynda) Jenkins, and Linda (Mark) Hatcher, and over two-dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services will be held Friday, June 14th, at 3 p.m., at First Christian Church, 155 Parker Rd., Morristown, TN 37813.  Friends will be received at the church from 1-3 p.m. Family and friends will meet for a 3 p.m. graveside service on Saturday, June 15th at Lynnhurst Cemetery in Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Missions fund at First Christian Church. Arrangements by Westside Chapel Funeral Home in Morristown.

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