Emma "Louise" Richardson Hartley Rose

Emma “Louise” Richardson Hartley Rose, of Winston-Salem, one day shy of 95 years old, passed away 7-1-2021, in her sleep at Homestead Hills. She was born at her grandma’s house in Asheboro, and grew up in the small town of Star, NC, where her parents, Clay and Elsie Richardson, owned a hosiery mill, Clayson Knitting. She did not have a birth certificate, because that would have cost 25 cents. Her first job was being the gopher in the finishing room. She attended Greensboro and then Guilford College(class of ’47) where she, doing her patriotic duty, dated many service men, until she met and married the fun-loving Jack Hartley. The two of them lived simply in a one-room apartment while Jack went back to school to get his Masters, taught and coached, and Louise taught piano and violin in Chatham County, coincidentally, where her daughter, Jane, later taught for 20+ years. They joined other founding members of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church to begin a long-time relationship of faith and friendships. They had two children, Cathy and Jane.

Louise enjoyed being a member of the knitting club, “Stitch by Stitch”. She fell in love with knitting, early in life, while knitting argyle socks for soldiers heading off to war. Louise loved to: play bridge with any foursome or with the Chatterbox Bridge Club; trade jokes; eat Sunday morning breakfast at K&W after the early chapel service; eat anything chocolate; watch Jeopardy (and got many answers correct!); wear bright colors with cute shoes and-back in the day-fancy hats; respond with sarcasm (which she passed on to Cathy and Sara); to sew (which she passed on to Jane); and read the Winston-Salem Journal AND Sentinel. As empty nesters, they traveled to 48 states and the Southern Provinces of Canada, in various campers/motor homes. She didn’t get a birth certificate until she had to have one to go on a cruise. Her favorite place to sit was any chair in front of a pull down handle slot machine. She preferred to play with quarters. Louise got a kick from watching the antics and hearing stories about the grandkids that came along, Sara (Austin), Katie (Craig) and Morgan (Muller), and then the 9 great grandkids.

A few years after Jack’s death, Louise and Dewitt Talmage (Tee) Rose, Jr. rekindled an old friendship that led to a second marriage, with added benefits-his kids: Kim(Angela), Lynn(Steve), and their kids Noel, Kate, Anna and Carl. Her most treasured memories were family gatherings at the beach, and for Christmas when she loved to bark to the tune of Jingle Bells. Louise’s favorite mottos were: “Eat, drink and be merry” and “Never look back.” Louise dedicated her life to raising a family and making friends.

Louise is preceded in death by her sister, Ann Winstead and her brothers, Joe and Vance Richardson. She is survived by John (Jane) Richardson, Cathy (Jimmy Gaultney) Rudisill, Jane (Chris) Kaman, Sara (Michael) Jung, the above added benefits, the grand and great-grandkids, and many nieces and nephews. Louise lived a grand life, full of love and shenanigans.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 16, 2021 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, with Father Steven Rice officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or the N.C. Zoo.