Rose Catoe

Rose Mae Catoe was born on March 24, 1930 in Saluda, South Carolina to the late Sike and Laura Carroll. The last child of Laura’s six children and only girl, Rose was raised by her grandmother, Virginia Devore, after her mother’s passing when she was only 8 months old. She was raised with a younger cousin, Ernest Devore both helping out their grandmother who was legally blind. Her hometown Saluda was a very small town full of sharecroppers. Rose was required at a very young age to help her grandparents on their farm – this often got in the way of her education. She was not educated above the 3rd grade but she never let that prevent her from moving forward. She learned enough to take care of herself and her family that would later come. Since she was depended on to help her elderly grandparents, she developed a giving and helpful spirit always willing to help someone in need. Rose’s life was dedicated to caring for others and opening her home to anyone in need. She volunteered for the DC Department of Aging, winning several awards for her volunteerism. Her greatest passion was volunteering to serve lunches to shut-in senior citizens in her building where she herself was a senior citizen. A firm believer in Jesus Christ, Rose was a mighty woman of God. She was a faithful member of Springfield Baptist Church joining under the late Rev L. B. Jones. She loved her church and was always in her seat shouting “Go Head” whenever she heard her pastor preaching. Her sickness took her away from the church but it never took her away from the Lord. She was known as the praying lady at her nursing home because as long as she could she would get down on her knees and pray often during the day and every night. She was tired in her body, but strong in her spirit. She was preceded in death by her five brothers, Albert, George, Howard, Sike and Jule and her grandson Deshaun. She leaves to cherish her precious memories her children Dorothy, Harriet, Tawanna (Huston), Anthony, Stephanie (Robert), Albert (Diane) Sheena (Jeffery) and April (Jeffrey), 17 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

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Rose Catoe

March 24, 1930 - June 18, 2020