Charles W. (Charlie) Rose

Charles W. (Charlie) Rose, age 75, a resident of Cleveland for 50 years, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2020, at home, with his wife, Jane, by his side. Mr. Rose was born in Sharpsville, Indiana, the son of the late Reverend Harvey L. and Lois Rose. He and his wife, Jane Starnes Rose, retired from the Bradley County School System after serving 40 years and 25 years respectively. He began his teaching tenure in Bradley County Schools at Blue Springs Elementary School (1969-76) transitioning to Lake Forest Middle School at its opening in 1976 (formerly Trewhitt Junior High School) as school counselor. At his 40-year retirement from the school system, he was elected to and served on the Bradley County School Board for eight years.
Mr. Rose was devoted to his family, was a long-time member of the Westmore Church of God, and was a sports advocate. After completing his B.S. in Education from Lee College (Lee University) in 1968, he moved to Sevierville, Tennessee, where he served as Athletic Director at the Church of God Home for Children and briefly taught at Kodak Elementary School, Kodak, Tennessee. Returning to Cleveland and beginning his teaching career here in 1969, he later completed an M.Ed., from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1977.
Continuing his love of sports, Mr. Rose created and ran the Church of God Softball Tournament inviting softball teams to Cleveland, TN to participate. The national tournament soon became a popular annual athletic event for over 10 years.
Mr. Rose is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jane Starnes Rose, daughters, Nicole Rose Smith,

Christy Rose Viviano, son-in-law Jason Viviano; and son, Charles (Chad) D.G. Rose, daughter-in-law, Jodi Watson Rose; and grandsons, Ezekiel and Elijah Smith, and granddaughters, Jaylin and Mia Viviano. He is preceded in death by Bard Smith, son- in-law.
Further, Mr. Rose is survived by siblings: sister, Colene Mercer, brother-in-law, Reverend Fred Mercer; sisters Lavenda Sailors, Peggy Nash, and Veva Rose and sister- in-law, Saundra Jennings Rose. He was preceded in death by his brother, Reverend Delbert Rose, and brothers-in-law, Reverend Jim Sailors and Benson Nash. Other survivors include nieces and nephews: Todd Rose, Tanya Rose Wriston, husband, Welton; Connie Mercer, Denise Wright, husband, Kevin; Fred Mercer, Jr., wife, Nancy; Marie Nash Vickery; James Harvey Sailors, wife, Kristina; Jeanna Sailors McDonald, husband, Eric; and several great nieces and great nephews. For over 35 years, the families gathered at Charlie and Jane’s home for Thanksgiving dinner!
Private graveside services will be held Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Cleveland, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lake Forest Middle School, designated to the Charles Rose Fund, for his recognition in the counseling center where Mr. Rose dedicated his service until his retirement.
Because of government guidelines limiting group meetings at this time, a memorial service for Mr. Rose will be announced at a later date.