“The
Perfect Rose” This memory book is dedicated to the loving memory of Virginia Rose Ann Everett. She was born on
According to her mama, she came into the world kicking and
screaming. She was a precocious
child, afraid of very little, and was filled with an insatiable curiosity about
life. Everybody who came into
contact with her was changed in some manner.
She grew into a beautiful young woman with a heart filled with
love for Jesus Christ, and her mama, daddy, and brother. She was friendly, easy-
going, and really cared about people. She got really homesick if she had to
spend the night away from home, and could not wait to come back home.
On the foggy, overcast early morning of
God was walking through His Garden that fateful day and decided
Heaven could use some sprucing up. He asked Jesus what He thought would
add to the beauty of Heaven's Garden. Jesus told God that all of His
creations are beautiful, but He did have something special in mind that would be
just the thing to make God's Garden even more beautiful. We will remember her always, Heaven knows, knowing that God's Garden now has the perfect rose.
The Rose Ann we all know and love is now safe and happy with Jesus Christ in Heaven. This knowledge brings us some comfort, but we will forever grieve over our indescribable loss. We thank you, God, for letting us have her with us for twenty years. She had a great heart for you and served you so well during her time here. She touched the lives of everyone she met in a very special way. She was daughter, grand-daughter, sister, niece, and cousin to her family and an inspiration to her friends. I will always remember how her eyes would light up when she would see me and say, "Hey, Uncle Jerry," with that wonderful, mischievous grin on her face that always made me wonder what she had been up to. One thing I know for sure: Heaven, whether it wants to or not, is about to get straightened out. We love you, Rose Ann, and sure do miss you. How about telling your Granddaddy Deriso “hey” for us? Uncle Jerry & Aunt Bonnie
MEMORIES . . . Rose Ann’s family and friends honored her memory by posting the comments shown below on her web-site. We believe her reading these tributes to her will most certainly cause her to break out in that impish grin that was her trademark, and that we all loved so much. Please enjoy what her family, friends, and people who knew her had to say. . . . EVEN IN 2008:
I just found your website dedicated to Rose
Ann. Another friend of ours was killed early this morning in a car crash & I
began thinking of Rose Ann all over again. I saw her picture in the frame on my
dresser Saturday and she was smiling as usual. Rose Ann was a dear friend to me,
she was so "matter-of-fact", down to earth, silly. I will never forget all of us
singing the dinosaur song every day at break (at Tri-County), or eating
breakfast after prom at Mom's Kitchen, afternoons at Chalkley's after school...
She always had us cracking up. A few months before the accident I saw her in
Wal-Mart; she hugged me & asked me how things were. I had moved to Macon by then
so we didn't get to see each other often. It was unreal when I got the phone
call around 8:30am to tell me what happened. I knew she was a special person,
but to see all the people at Macedonia whose lives she touched was unbelievable.
You know she's looking down on us, probably laughing at the fact that we are
STILL talking about her!! ROSE ANN Jerry
and Bonnie on Jake, Margie,
and Jayson: We can't
possibly know how y'all feel, but please know you are constantly in our prayers
for strength and comfort from God. Rose Ann was truly one of a kind. The 1,200
people who showed up for her funeral are a living testimony of how much she was
loved. Jerry and Bonnie Charles and Carolyn Deriso
on Carolyn and
myself know exactly what each member of Rose Ann’s family are feeling now and
want to express our sorrow and sympathy to all of the immediate family members.
We also want to tell the family, God is in Control, and he needed a perfect
Rose, to complete his Bouquet, so Rose Ann was chosen. The hurt you feel, you
will never get over it, but you will learn, with God's help, to accept it. Times
will improve, but never be the same. I, Charles, questioned my Faith, with the
loss of Daren, but God has assured me, the loss of his life, was not his doing,
but Daren's. He just reached down in our most desolate times, and rescued Daren,
and brought him home. The same for Rose Ann, God just rescued her, and took her
home to be with him for ever more. One day, we will see her again, there
worshipping God at his Eternal Throne, I am sure Daren has all ready greeted
her, and she has found her Granddaddy, Grover, who loved her, and she is at home
now. Just as you and I will be soon. In
closing, let me re-assure each of you. Never question God's actions, I know you
are hurting now, as we are, but remember, Jesus Christ Died on the cross so that
each of us could be forgiven of our sins, and live forever in Heaven with all
our ancestors. I myself, can hardly wait for that time, as more and more of my
Loved ones, are going on before me, and I offer comfort to each of Rose Ann’s
family members and say, God Loves You, and he will look after you just as he is
now looking after Rose ann. God Bless each of You. Your Cousin,
Charles and his lovely wife Carolyn, assure you of this. ROSE ANN Carolyn
and Charles Deriso
on November 01, To Rose Ann's I am home in Heaven Dear ones This was delivered to us by a Group of
People who Loves Us and I Graciously pass this on to the ones we love, God Bless
You All. Charles and Carolyn OUR PERFECT ROSE
Margie
Everett on Thank you so
much my dear brother for expressing your love for my daughter through this
website. Hopefully, people will feel the love that God gave Rose Ann and us by
allowing us to have this lovely creature for the twenty years of her earthly
life. I believe with
all my heart that God knew when He created this lovely creature exactly second
her earthly life would end and her heavenly life would begin. No, I do not
believe that the accident was Rose Ann's fault. Why would she purposely fall
asleep at the wheel trying to get home? And why would she choose to wreck and
end her life only two miles from the safety of her own home. I knew my child
probably better than anyone else on earth as her mama. I know from everything
that happened that her purpose for this life had ended and God would use this
precious child's live to further His glory. I know that He saw to it even in
death that she was protected. That old Explorer laid her out gently on the
ground as it started its own roll of death. Her brother Jayson saw her as she
laid there and told me "Mama, she looked like she was asleep". Thank
you God, for taking care of our baby during this time. Thank you for allowing
her to be cradled in your loving arms. Thank you for those You sent to find her,
be with her, and keep her little body safe until help could arrive. Thank you
for the compassion of those workers and people. Thank you for the funeral home
director who left the light on for me because I could not bear for her to be in
a dark room. Thank you for sharing her with all of us. For sharing her with the
over 500 people (mostly young) who attended her "Home Going" Life
Celebration. For the lives that will forever be touched and changed by this one
perfect rose. Our Rose? No, dear Father, Your Rose. In Jesus' name. Amen. RE: ROSE ANN Alice
and Nick Pratt on Margie, Jake and Jayson, Alice and I are praying for you every day
and every evening. It is so sad to lose such a beautiful young lady like your
Rose Ann but comforting to know that she is truly in the loving hands of the
Lord who will love and comfort her for evermore. We love you all very much. Alice and Nick Pratt Our
memories of Rose Ann
Tad
and Emily Deriso on We have lots of
great memories that we will treasure forever. When we heard the tragic news
Friday morning, we told our oldest daughter, Sara what happened, and how Rose
Ann was in heaven with Jesus. We asked Sara if she remembered Rose Ann, and she
replied "yeah, she always played fun with me and Kate". We all shared
some tears and a family prayer for Rose Ann, Margie, Jake and Jayson. I'll always
remember the annual Deriso Christmas parties, where we would all gather and
trade "white elephant" gifts. If you know the Deriso clan, we always
find the strangest, craziest presents to give. Jake, Margie, Jayson and Rose Ann
would always come up, and after a big meal of turkey, oyster dressing, and if we
played our cards right, the Rose Ann had a
knack for getting the funniest gifts. Whether it was a boxing nun, singing
Christmas tree, singing catfish, or a Jeff Foxworthy book, she always provided
some great laughs. One year, my brother, cousin David and I convinced good ole
Jayson, that the large, heavy present was a Sega Genesis game console, but not
to tell anyone. Rose Ann got in on the action, and urged Jayson to get it. Lo
and behold it was a box filled with a yellow page book and a bunch of Chuckie
Cheese game tickets! Jayson was a good sport about it, and I remember Rose Ann
laughing so much at fooling her brother. Rose Ann is a
wonderful testament to being raised right, as my dad likes to say. While she
will be missed her on earth, I truly believe that her positive impact will be
felt not just in Webster County, but in so many hearts of her friends, family
and many acquaintances for many years to come. Her positive outlook and
infectious smile have made lasting impressions, and those impressions will live
on forever in those people she touched. I can only hope
that my wife Emily and I can raise our two daughters to be even a fraction of
the person Rose Ann became. We'll miss you Rose Ann, and know that we all are
taking good care of your family. We love you Tad, Emily, Sara
and Kate Deriso We
will miss you Rose Ann
Micah
and Nicole Deriso on
It is still
somewhat surreal to think about what has happened over the past week. While I
was driving down to Margie and Jakes on Sunday morning I had a lot of time to
think about Rose Ann, the memories, and our family. Somewhere around
I thought about
some of my best memories with the family and they always include Rose Ann
lighting up the room with her smile and that unmistakable Nicole and I are
better for having known Rose Ann and I have to agree with my brother that I hope
Nicole and I can even come close to raising such a well respected, Christ
centered, loving child. Jake and Margie:
Nicole and I are here for anything you need to help you through this time. When
I hugged Margie I realized that God was going is going to play a major role in
healing your wounds. We pray for you constantly and hope to see you soon. Love Always, Micah, Nicole,
Hunter, and Guinness. Rose
Ann --our Special Teacher!
Uncle
Tommy and Aunt Susan Deriso
on Rose Ann was
indeed a special gift from God who was put on this earth to teach us all how to
live life fully and abundantly like God intended. From the time she was very
small she showed us how to "take charge and move out" and not let the
grass grow under your feet! She always had a certain way to look at you with a
smirk and a twinkle in her eye to let you know right quick she meant business! Through her
adolescent years we saw her mainly at family gatherings for special occasions
and she was always had such a happy disposition and very fun to be around. As Rose Ann
matured into a beautiful young lady her special purpose from God was
evident...she loved all people and had a servant's heart. She helped keep the
baby nursery at her church and at Miss Jane's child day care service in When her
Granddaddy had a long illness during her senior high school year she visited him
often and sat with him in the hospital and ministered to many of his needs. And,
after he passed away that summer, Rose Ann was again a servant to her surviving
Grandmother driving 20 miles each way daily to check on her and help take care
of her needs in a very difficult time of grief. She continued this for over 2
years until just last week. She also regularly visited her other Grandma when
she moved to a local nursing home giving her much comfort and love. Rose Ann's life
was truly her testimony for God's love. We can all be sure many of her beloved
family and friends who have already gone before welcomed her into that beautiful
place called heaven. Our lives were
all changed forever last Friday when Rose Ann departed from this place. Words
can not describe how much we miss this beautiful young lady and what pain we now
feel. But the GOOD news is that because of God's perfect grace when we accepted
Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior(as Rose Ann did) we can be sure we will
see her again when we all get to heaven. And oh what a glorious day that will
be! Thank you Rose
Ann for being our life teacher. You left the world a much better place for us to
live! We love you, Uncle Tommy and
Aunt Susan Rose Ann
Ray Eschmann
on A ROSE AMONG
THORNS After helping
Rose Ann into the car for her farewell ride, I stood with the pallbearers and
listened as Brother Wallace spoke. "I
guess there was one rose among all of y'all thorns."
Maybe now I see that God picked that beautiful Rose to bring home to
heaven, instead of a thorn like me. Now,
she is home in Jesus’ arms, leaving us waiting until we are all home to be
with her and the Lord forever. Ro Ro's friend
forever, Rose Ann
Riley on Brother Jake, I've been on the
road. I just wanted to e-mail and tell you a couple of things out of all respect
for you and your family. I was in Riley PERFECT ROSE
KEITH
AND DAWN JONES
on DEAR MARGIE & JAKE: WE ARE VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. WE
CANNOT EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST SORROW. KEITH & DAWN A
great person
Earl
Cobb on
Rose Ann was a
very sweet person. I always will remember her for being nice to everyone
regardless of who they were. I also remember talking to her every time I seen
her at Subway. The world is less compassionate at her loss. She also has a very
good brother, who I consider a good friend. God Bless the Everett’s. A
Rose in December
David
Hall on Mr. & Mrs. Everett, I want to take
this time to tell you that your daughter Rose Ann was such a beautiful young
woman and had a truly sweet heart. I had to pleasure of meeting her when she
worked at Citizens Bank of God called my
ten year old son Josh home 3-1/2 years ago now. When god called Josh home I was
devastated to say the least, but the beauty of his soul has inspired me to live
be with him in heaven and to try to help others when I can. Josh was one of the
most tender-hearted and caring child that I ever have known. If I had to compare
Josh to a flower, he would be an Orchid, because he was so beautiful and he was
only on this earth for a short while. Mrs. Everett, I
read your letter in the Americus-Times Recorder and I cannot help but to
identify with Tim McGraw's song as well. We should all just live like we were
dying, because I'm a firm believer that our days are certainly numbered.
Although I did not know your Rose Ann very well, I could tell from the few times
that I dealt with her that she was not afraid to live like she was dying. Josh
certainly lived well enough in his ten short years to touch the lives of
hundreds of people. It's amazing what truly beautiful people can do for the
world. It's also amazing how their memory affects the lives of others as well. I have a book at
home that I would like to pass on to you. It's title is "A Rose in
December." I believe that you and Mr. Everett would like to read it and
would benefit from reading it. I will try to remember to drop it off to Mr.
Everett on Tuesday when I come thru My prayers are
with you! Rose Ann was truly a delicate Rose. May we all live like we were
dying! Sincerely, WYNELLE
HOLBROOK on Margie, I have
not talked to you. But my heart goes out to you all. I am not as strong as you
.I don’t think I could hold my self together. Your write ups have meant a lot
to me .I have gained strength to keep facing what we are facing. I have just
prayed that God would just give me a little of the strength you have. I KNOW IF
I WILL GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY, HE WILLHELP ME IN RETURN.STAY STRONG FOR YOU AND
ME. I LOVE YOU,
JAKE, AND JASON LOVE, WYNELLE Rose
Ann
Wynelle
Holbrook on We will miss you. My
Best Friend
LeAnn
Swain on Rose Ann was my best friend. I will never forget the great times we had
and I don't regret any of our memories. She was so fun to be around and I will
never forget her. She has a special place in my heart and I will think of her
every day. I loved her like a sister. I have learned to understand that she is
in a better place than where we are. I know I will see her again, and I can't
wait. It is hard to lose one so close and I hope I will get through this
horrible lose but I know she is up there watching over me. Rose
Ann
Jessica
Bridges on I didn't know
Rose Ann very well, but I did know her from the Tri-County Baseball games. I'm
very sorry that the Lord took her away from her family so early, but she is now
looking down at her family and guarding them. She is in a much better place! i
love rose ann
Luke
Lynch on I miss Rose Ann. I will always remember
her. Rose
Ann
Tammy
Lynch on Ms. Everett, Luke's Mom here,
I didn’t know Rose Ann, but met her the night of PTO. Luke holding her hand
brought her over to me to meet, as if it was his "girlfriend". He
adored Rose Ann, she touched his heart, and he always speaks of her. I think she
will always be in his little heart forever. Tammy A
Wonderful Rose!
Stephanie
Brown on Jake, Margie, and Jayson, I knew Rose Ann
from school, and I know that she treated people the way she wanted them to treat
her. She was honestly nice, sweet, and sincere to all people. I can only imagine
what you all are going through. I know she is up there smiling with that grin of
hers. She always made you smile when she came around. I wish that she was still
here, but her time was up and like you said God wanted the most beautiful Rose
to put in his garden. I Love You All. If you need anything, please don't be
afraid to ask anyone. i
knew her through friends
Cori
Rigdon on Mrs. Margie, I knew Rose Ann
through my cousin Jilliann Miller. We practically lived together on those summer
weekends over at Jilliann’s house when I heard about the accident. I cried. I
didn’t believe it. I can’t now; the funeral was one of the most emotional
things I’ve had to go through in my life, but I went to say goodbye to Rose
Ann. She’s in a better place and I
love her still. Always, Cori Rigdon I
Miss HER
Tommy
Lander on I miss Rose Ann; she was so cool and sweet
and nice. Rememberance
Nancy
Miller on Margie and family, My only knowing
Rose Ann as a small little girl is a brief one but still a lingering memory. You
and Jayson and Rose Ann would come in The Book Inn and that's how I got to know
you. Thank you for affording me to write to you this way. When I read the paper
and realized who it was my heart was saddened. Not
all people will leave such a legacy as she did. May God bless you and comfort
you. Love, Nancy Miller SYMPATHY
Linda
Deriso on I am thinking of you, I don't know the
words to say, but my prayers are with you in this difficult time. rose
Ann
Vickie
King on Margie and family: I just wanted to
express my sincere condolences to you in the loss of your daughter. It has been
quite some time since I seen you Margie but I do want you to know that I have
prayed for you and your family and hoped you would find the strength to overcome
your loss. After reading the other notes and your letter in the paper today I
realize that you will be fine. I came to this website out of curiosity because I
have never met your children. You have a beautiful daughter and I can see a lot
of you in her face. It sounds like she inherited your personality as well. I
will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers Love
and sympathy
Posted by Margie, I have
thought so much about you and your family. The article you wrote in the paper
was beautiful. Please know that you have been in my prayers. My special
thoughts, Re:
Rose Ann
Lannelle
German-Wilson on Mr. and Mrs.
Everett, I don't even
know you nor did I know Rose Ann but I receive the Americus Times Recorder daily
and had the opportunity to read the "Your Opinion" section. I was
touched and amazed at the idea of someone being so strong after the death of a
loved one. I can tell that Rose Ann was a beautiful person inside and out. Sympathy
Martha
and Bobby Bacon on All of you are in our prayers. May you find
strength and courage. Rose
Ann
Kimberly
Boone on My deepest
sorrow to your family. I really did not know Rose Ann but your article in the
Americus Times Recorder touched me in a very deep way. I have remember seeing
Rose Ann at Burger King where I work. And you are right about that smile because
she would always have one on her face. May God Bless you. Your strength came
through on the article you wrote. Rose
Ann
Elizabeth
Horne Hickox on My prayers are
with all of you!! Although Rose Ann is not with us here on earth, she will
always be in our thoughts and prayers. Love, thinking
of Rose Ann
Brad
and Sandy Goodroe on We just want to
express our sympathy to the family of Rose Ann. She came to our house on a
number of occasions, and we miss her. Although, we don't know why this tragedy
has happened, we do know that God has a reason for it. We also know that Rose
Ann touched the lives of everyone that she encountered. We love her and miss
her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Jake, Mrs. Margie, Jayson, and all
of her friends, family, and loved ones. Jayson, call me if you have a chance....
I'm in the phone book.... Rose
Ann
Jessica
Morgan on Rose Ann's the
kind of friend that everybody deserves. She was a good friend. I feel very
grateful to have known her. Rose Ann and I had some fun times together. I know
that I will never forget them. Even though I miss her, I do know that one day I
will see Rose Ann again. Love, THANK YOU LORD FOR OUR
ROSE ANN
Mama (Margie) on Dear Lord: Thanks for
dying on that cross for all of us. Thank you for giving us hope and faith in
that when someone is taken home early to be with You, we will see them again.
Thanks for loving each of us enough to die for our eternal life. Thanks for
giving me the gift of two wonderful children that I, along with Jake, had the
pleasure to raise. Thanks for our son and for our daughter. Although she is not
here in physical appearance, she is here through spirit and will always live in
our hearts. Thanks for blessing our lives with that precious child and choosing
two humble sinful vessels to be her earthly parents. Thanks for loving us, Lord.
Thanks for giving us Rose Ann. Thanks for taking her Home to be with you when
her time on earth was done. Thank you Lord. I love you. Margie thinking
of you
Bobbie
Chitwood on My heart &
prayers go out to you for the loss of your daughter. i lost my grandson 6 years
ago when he was 5 1/2 months old & I know the pain you are going through.
I saw your daughter's picture today in the paper & she was very
pretty. She will make heaven shine with her smile. May GOD keep you & your
family close to his side & give you comfort during these trying times. Missing
Rose Ann
Annie
Powell on When I first met
Rose Ann I new that she was a very pleasant and fun person to be around. I am
employed at the Subway in Remembering you, Rose
Ann
Chase
O'Hearn on Well I really
didn't know Rose Ann that well, I only met her 3 or 4 times but the times I was
around her she was real nice and would talk to you as long as you would stand
there. I never heard her talk or complain about anyone while I was around. She
was a very nice sweet person and I miss her a lot. Chase O'Hearn Re:
Rose Ann
Eugene
T. and Virginia Deriso Sr. on To Margie, Jake, and Jayson: We here in south
Rose
Ann
Dana
Jones on There are so
many things that can be said about Rose Ann “Rosie or Ro Ro” as a lot of us
like to call her. She was really something special, still is, and ALWAYS will
be. She was the needle in the haystack, someone so rare and hard to find on this
earth but when you found her you knew she was a keeper and a unique person. She
could light up a room with her smile and personality. No one felt like a
stranger or out of place around her because she welcomed everyone with open arms
and the people that met her welcomed her with open arms and ears because she
loved to talk. She could start up a conversation with anybody about anything.
She was a diamond in the rough and the rose among us thorns. She was an
outgoing, loving, caring individual that loved to live life to the fullest. She
could walk into a room and no doubt know a handful of people and on the rare
occasion she didn’t you better believe before she left she knew over a half of
them. She will always be in my heart and thoughts and for all of us that were
blessed to know her she will be with you too. She didn’t leave us because she
still lives in us and as long as we remember the wonderful memories we shared
with her she will be there with her gorgeous smile and open arms. She blessed
our lives and made the world a better place just by being here. I think the Lord
saw that and wanted to make heaven and even better place by putting our
wonderful Rose in his garden. Daren
and Rose Ann's first Christmas in Heaven
Greg
Deriso on I’ve had my first Christmas in Heaven. A
glorious, wonderful day. I stood with the saints of the ages who
found Christ the truth and the way.
Oh! What celestial music I brought to our
savior and king.
And how they called his name Jesus. That
all might be saved by his name.
Then shepherds first heard the glad story
that Jesus the savior was born.
With all the rapture and glory, I witnessed
in Heaven so fair.
With all our loved ones around us, the
children so happy at play.
When you and my loved ones are with me to
share the glories I see.
And oh! What a Christmas awaits us, beyond
all our partings and tears. In memory Daren Deriso and Rose Ann
Everett!!!!!!! May we all rest a little easier knowing our
loved children are safe in Gods arms! MESSAGE FROM “Live
like you are dying…” these are the words sang by country music superstar Tim
McGraw. Lord only knows in the past few weeks how many times we have seen that
video as our daughter, Rose Ann, loved it and thought him to be extremely
“hot”. These
words have taken new meaning for our family beyond the “hotness” of this
singer. You see, last Friday morning, Oct. 29, around You can
take this phrase two ways. Live in the way that’s acceptable in this world, or
live in the way that’s acceptable in God’s world. As humans we were
all born and we will all die. But our souls will live forever in one of two
places. Heaven or hell. When this happens, there is no turning back. There is no
saying, “I’m sorry, God. You were right after all. Please forgive me.”
That is the true life that will be ours forever and ever. I ask
that you take a good look at yourself. It doesn’t matter how old you are. What
does matter is how you live while you are dying. I know no better way to sum
this up than to say if you want to see Jesus, you need to accept Him as your
Lord and Savior. “Live like you are dying”. What’s your choice? To all
who have supported us with prayers, love, support. Thank you. We love you. We
ask only that you continue to pray for us as we journey through these next few
months. To our church family – God love you all. To the over 500 people who
attended our Rose Ann’s “Home going” celebration last Sunday – thank you
for loving her and for loving us. Our prayer is that God’s glory will be shown
through this precious child’s life. Our
“Wild Game Supper” is this Saturday night beginning at God
Bless You and Keep You is My Prayer. Dear
Editor: Thanks
for always accommodating me by placing my writing in the paper. Please publish
the following for me, if you don’t mind. Margie Almost one week ago our lives (as we knew them) were
changed. Changed forever. In the twinkling of an eye. You see, our daughter was
only 2.6 miles from the safety of her earthly home when she received the
greatest gift of all – God, in all His Glory reached down and took her
precious soul Home with Him. I know that the sudden death of anyone is shocking
and hard, especially when it is young person. She was only 20 years, 6 months
old. She was in school studying to be a first grade teacher. She was a free
spirit with a backbone of steel and a heart of gold. She loved with a passion
and would stand for what and who she believed in with all she had. I know. I
butted heads with her countless times throughout her life! She loved to be with
her friends – mostly boys – as she grew up with an older brother and all
boys. They were all her brothers. She had no frills and lace or prissiness. She
would jump into whatever the plan was and take part. She defended them like a
lioness defending a cub. She also had the complexion that needed no makeup. Big
brown eyes. Long dark hair. Legs that went on forever. And her smile – it lit
up the room. She also had just found “the one” in her soul mate. She had a
chance, however brief, to experience the sweetness of true love. She was my
baby, my best friend, and my companion in everything. If ever a mother and
daughter could be joined at the hip, we were. We did just about everything
together. She came to my first grade class every day after her classes and
helped me. She knew more about teaching than I do! Many
people have said, “Why?” We’ve said, “Why? Why her, Lord?” And the
answer is always the same. Because of Me. Because I love her and you and all
people. Because I knew from the moment of her conception exactly the number of
seconds she would stay on Earth and fulfill her purpose for living according to
My Will. I
have heard a few rumors about maybe she was with her boyfriend and maybe she was
drinking. I can assure you she was not. She went to sleep and when she tried to
correct her explorer, the wet road conditions and overcompensation caused her to
lose control of the vehicle and start the death roll. Her neck was broken and
her aorta severed before she knew what happened. She died instantly. And that
old explorer gently laid her out before completing its final rolls of death. Her
brother, Jayson, told me, “Mama, she looked like she was asleep.” (He
responded to the accident as a firefighter/first responder for our county not
knowing it was his little sister). Even
though the sky was thick with fog and dark with night, something beautiful
happened. The Hand of God reached down and took this precious creature Home. Her
life’s purpose was shown during those dark hours that followed for all who
knew her. Over 250 people (98% young friends (and all of her boyfriends through
the years) came to the visitation. I saw huge young men (who could fill a
doorframe with their stature) almost go to their knees in grief as they looked
at her. She truly looked like Snow White as her skin was still flawless and her
natural beauty shown through without any makeup. Yes, she looked like she was
asleep. At her service, there were over 500 people there to pay their final
respects. The road was lined with cars for ½ mile from our church. Our small
country church could not hold everyone and there were as many outside as inside.
The road that led to the gravesite was lined with people. It was truly
unbelievable. I’ve heard several say that it was the largest attendance they
know of for Webster Co. All because of one little girl. Our perfect Rose. No,
God’s perfect Rose. May
God Bless you and keep you is our prayer, Jake,
Margie and Jayson Everett PS
– My oldest brother has a family website with a page for Rose Ann. Please
honor us with your visit at www.everknown.com
and click on the link to Rose Ann’s page. Thanks! Lynn Sumner on July 7th, 2005
I never got the pleasure to meet Rose Ann.
I regret that deeply. Not many days go by that I don't visit this website.
Not sure what I am looking for. I guess a new photo or something else that
will allow me to know her better. I am a friend of Callie's (Tater).
She came to my house that morning. She cried for hours. I knew then
that Rose Ann was very special. I know that you miss her terribly. I
think of your family every day. Thank you for sharing this website.
It continues to touch me every time I visit. Rose
Ann A
little bit sassy, But
also very classy. Very
outspoken, God’s
gift – a blessing, a token. Big,
beautiful brown eyes, Always
hung out with the guys. A
tomboy in jeans and T-shirt, Very
rarely did she wear a skirt. No
ribbons, laces or bows, But
always perfectly manicured toes. World’s
loudest burp, Who
says it’s bad manners to slurp? Legs
long and lean, Country
as a turnip green. Always
kept a golden tan, Thought
maybe she’d found her perfect man. Always
friendly, always a smile, Always
dressed in the latest style. She
loved little children, Planned
to devote her life to teaching them. Defended
her brother, Adored
her mother. Her
mother’s best friend, Devoted
to her till the end. Her
daddy’s pride and joy, He
wouldn’t have been prouder if she’d been a boy. With
her daddy she didn’t always agree, But
she knew he was being what a good daddy should be. Her
family’s hearts are broken, Their
tear-filled pillows are soaking. Her
life was a blessing, So
toward heaven they’re pressing. Heaven’s
a more beautiful place, With
her new pair of wings and beautiful face.
Written
by Betty Anne Wills Eschmann
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