ELIZABETH JOSEPHINE ROSE,
79, of North Little Rock, born on August 29, 1940, beloved sister, aunt and friend, died quietly in the early morning hours of April 4, 2020.
Known as Libba to friends and family and Bo Bo to a multitude of nieces and nephews, her quiet passing belied her no-nonsense approach to life and her fierce but loving heart, evident most often in the hilarious adventures she shared with her sister, roommate and partner-incrime, Mary Ann Rose (aka Moo Moo). Everyone who ever met “the aunts” has a colorful story to tell about their clever wits and hilarious escapades, but beyond that, anyone who loved Libba knew a woman guided by a powerful Catholic faith and call to service who would do anything to support those she loved. That love is returned one thousand-fold by surviving siblings Mary Ann Rose, Toni Rose Fitz (Don), Kathy Rose Bowman (Bob), Richard Rose (Gladys), and Jimmy Rose (Susan). Ready to greet her when she enters the gates of Heaven are those who preceded her in death: her beloved parents Eddie J. Rose, Sr. and Christine Lochner Rose (Old Grammy) and siblings Eddie J. Rose, Jr. (Reba), Christine Rose Cardenas (Jimmy), and Michael Rose (Donna). Our beloved Bo Bo is also mourned by 20 nieces and nephews, 22 great-nieces and nephews, and 12 greatgreat nieces and nephews.
After attending grade school at St. Edward Catholic School and graduating from Mount St. Mary’s Academy in 1958, Libba went on to a successful professional career that spanned 64 years at the Federal Reserve Bank and a life of dedicated service to Our Lord and her church and former alma mater, St. Edward; she spent tireless hours supporting multiple women’s organizations as a reflection of her commitment to work, faith and family as a volunteer for St. Edward’s Altar Society, a leader in the Mother Sodality and a lifetime member of Catholic Women in Business.
According to the poet Maya Angelou, “Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives.” Never did there live a tougher and more tender soul than Libba Rose — all of us who worked with her, worshipped with her and loved her will laugh when we think of her life’s stories and will carry her closely in our hearts so that she may live forever.
To honor her faith and service, the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Edward Catholic Church’s Mother Sodality, 801 Sherman Street Little Rock, Ark., 72202, or to Mount St. Mary Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, Ark., 72205. To ensure the health and safety of her family and friends during the current pandemic, a Mass of Christian burial will be held in her honor at a later date. To sign the online guestbook, click “Add A Memory” at: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.