Rosa Lee Gilmore, "Rosie", went to heaven to be with her Lord and Savior on July 10, 2023, at the age of 99. She was born on April 11, 1924 in Bluewell, West Virginia to Ida Hambrick Poe and James Ballard Poe. Rosie was the 15th of 16 children and often shared fond memories of growing up on a farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  She graduated from Beaver High School, Bluefield College, and Concord Teachers College. Her first job was at a public school in Baltimore, Maryland, where she taught a class of 44 first graders.

Rosie married her first love, Bob Gilmore on July 11, 1947, after he returned from serving in the Army Corps of Engineers during WWII.They met at Bluefield College. Bob adored her and treated her like a queen. He told her "Stick with me and I'll show you the world." He kept his promise! They toured 26 countries, visited all 50 U.S. states, and lived in 17 cities, including London, England. Rosie departed this life the day before what would have been their 76th wedding anniversary.

Rosie had a kind, loving, and generous nature. Her phone calls, cards, gifts, attendance at special events, birthday dinners, and hugs will be treasured memories. She was a devout Christian and attended church and Sunday school regularly throughout her life. She participated in many church activities including United Methodist Women, Circle, VBS, Weekday Ministries, and the annual Bazaar and Luncheon. Rosie was also a member of the Inverness Forest Women's Club and the Geophysical Auxiliary. In recent years, Rosie loved watching the sunset every night, feeding the birds, working jigsaw puzzles, playing dominoes, sewing, crafting, reading, and watching "Wheel of Fortune". Going to the Poe Family Reunion in West Virginia was the highlight of every summer. Most of all, she loved doing things with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Holidays weren't holidays without Rosie's special Christmas Eve traditional gatherings, followed by the worship service at Spring Woods Church.  Her Christmas spritz cookies were legendary and disappeared quickly, quite often before the holiday meal!

Rosie is survived by daughter Barbara Bruner and husband Tom of Midland, TX and son Larry Gilmore and wife Cathy of Cypress, TX; granddaughter Julie Brunson and husband Phillip; grandsons Christopher Gilmore and wife Stephanie and Robert Gilmore and wife Eliana; step-grandsons Mark Bruner and wife Zoe, and Michael Bruner; great-grandsons Joshua Brunson, Alexander Gilmore, and Robert Gilmore; great-granddaughter Brooklynn Gilmore; step great-grandchildren Alden, Adelaide, Tristram, and Graham Bruner, Michael Shane Bruner, and Jacob Bruner ; and many nieces and nephews. Rosie was also honored to be a great-great-great aunt.

Preceding her in death were her parents, ten sisters and five brothers, and her most beloved husband, Bob.

The family is grateful to her compassionate at-home caregivers, the amazing staff and caregivers at Bristol Park, and for the wonderful Care Team at Hope Beyond Hospice.

Memorials in memory of Rosie may be given to Spring Woods United Methodist Church ; Pine Grove Church of Christ (664 Lorton Lick Rd., Bluefield, WV 24701; TCH NICU (6621 Fannin St., Houston, Tx., 77030); or to one's favorite charity.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2023, 10:00 AM at Spring Woods United Methodist Church (1711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, Tx., 77090).

Pallbearers:

Larry Gilmore, Christopher Gilmore, Robert Gilmore, and Dr. Phillip Brunson

Honorary Pallbearers:

Joshua Brunson, Alexander Gilmore, Brooklynn Gilmore, and Robert Gilmore, Jr.

Rosie will be laid to rest next to her husband Bob with a private family interment at Klein Memorial Park in Pinehurst, Texas.