Leonard Johnson “L.J. Jr.” Rose
Mr. Leonard Johnson “L.J. Jr.” Rose, age 78, of Covington, died Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at LewisGale Medical Center, Salem. He was the husband of Elizabeth Ann Rose Rose.
Mr. Rose was born June 26, 1945, in Clifton Forge, the son of the late Leonard Johnson Rose, Sr. and Marion Fairburn Rose. During his working career, L.J. Jr. worked for Rural Supply, Plott Pharmacy and Hercules before retiring from Westvaco with thirty-five years of service. He was a member of the United Steel Workers and was an officer in their union. Mr. Rose served in the National Guard for seven years. L.J. was a former chairman of the Board of Supervisors and was on the TAP Board. He was also a member of the Potts Valley Singers and Persinger Memorial Church choir.
In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, Mr. Rose is survived by two daughters, Tammra Leigh Rose Bennett and husband, Ronnie and Kimberly Ann Rose May and husband, Tom; six grandchildren, David M. Thomas, III and wife, Parris, Abby Rose Thomas, Christa Marie Thomas, Blake Johnson Rose, Brandi Marie Wolfe and husband, Ryan, Heather Renee Abalos and husband, Mike, seven great-grandchildren, Colton Jameson Abalos, Maddox Wyatt Wolfe, Gage Bennett Wolfe, Declan Rhys Wolfe, River Griffith, Davin Mitchell Thomas, Alaina Parris Thomas; a brother, Joseph Rose; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Leonard and Marion Rose, Mr. Rose was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence and Buelah Fairburn; a daughter, Amy Marie Rose; a sister, Jean Rose; and a nephew, Joseph “Shorty” Rose.
A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Persinger Memorial Methodist Church with Rev. David Brown officiating, assisted by Pastor Joe Rose and Sherri Givens. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Family Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Ryan Wolfe, Maddox Wolfe, Gage Wolfe, Brian Wright, Chucky Walton, Sr., Freddy Hepler, Gary Bess and Danny Eggleston.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Bennett, Mike Rose. Parker Wright, Robert (Bobby) Brown and Robert Campbell.
The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105-9959 or Persinger Memorial Church C/O Mrs. Odell Brookman 4409 Potts Creek Road, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mr. Rose’s tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.