Joan "Jo" Brum Rose

Growing up on the family farm and the eldest of three children, Joan was encouraged at an early age to study piano. In her teenage years, she developed into an accomplished pianist and organist and began service as a church musician.

Joan graduated from Marietta High School and earned a BA in History from Marietta College in 1953, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.

After her marriage to Richard M. Rose, she was a homemaker through the early 1970’s. Joan always encouraged and supported her children’s academic, artistic, and athletic pursuits. Her lifelong Christian faith was evident in the way she instilled strong values in her children.

After settling in Raleigh in 1970, she served area United Methodist churches in several roles, including establishing the music ministry at Asbury United Methodist Church. Her love of singing led her to join choirs with other congregations, including those at Soapstone UMC and Greystone Baptist with her children.

In the 1980’s, Joan worked for the NC United Methodist Conference, forming lifelong relationships. She then went on to work as an executive assistant for Labcorp, retiring in her late 70’s.

Devoted to her family’s origins and traditions, she attended annual Thanksgiving family reunions at the Schramm Dairy Farm, the farm where her father was born.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Eldon Wesley Brum, and her former husband. She is survived by her loving children Steven Rose (Angela), Tracy Rose (Bob Kroen), and Laurie Rose (Kelli Braunbach); her sister, Rosalie Karunas of Michigan; her grandchildren Nathan Rose (Katie), Katie Castellanos (Carlos), Stephanie Hughes (Ryan), Emily Jones (Arik), Wesley Wilder (Megan), Ben Wilder, and Henry Wilder (Laura); her eleven great grandchildren; and many dear nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Joan’s caregivers at Brighton Gardens of Raleigh. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Soapstone United Methodist Church in Raleigh on Saturday, January 29 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Soapstone UMC’s Cornerstone Fund, or the church or charity of your choice.