Mary Rose Ross

Mary Rose (Sanders) Ross, 77, of Smithton, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at Boone Hospital in Columbia.

She was born May 26, 1947, in Sedalia, a daughter of George Ernest and Cora Jane (Shull) Sanders. She was married to Charles Wayne Ross on June 1, 1963, at Providence Baptist Church near Smithton.

Mary was a Christian and loved our Lord. She was an active member of Emmet Avenue Baptist Church and Lamine Baptist Church and served as Sunday school teacher, youth leader and music director.

She had several jobs throughout the years. She was primarily a homemaker and loved her children and grandchildren, and they adored her.

She enjoyed gardening, flowers, especially roses, writing poetry, crocheting, talking with friends on the phone, playing games on her iPad and listening to Christian music. Mary had a big heart and would help anyone in need.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Charles, of the home; three children, Mary Christine “Christy” (Ross) Froehlich (Richard), of Sedalia, Caryla Jean Watson, and Charles Wayne Ross, Jr., (Sandra), all of Smithton; a brother, Samuel Robert Sanders (Bertha), of AZ; four grandchildren, Lauren Ashley Whitfield, of Sedalia, Jacob Allen Watson (Jessica), of Otterville, Audree Paige Ross and Karlee Madyson Ross, both of Smithton; five great-grandchildren, Haleigh Marie Ross, Landon Lee (Cook) Davis, Courtney Louise (Cook) Davis, MiKayla Christine Cook and Jessen Charles Wall; and several nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Carl Norman Ross; and six siblings, George Isaac Sanders, John Ernest Sanders, Jeanette Cathleen Wilkie, Howard Sanders, Juanita Sanders and Jimmie Wayne Sanders.

Funeral service will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Heckart Funeral Home, with Rev. Ron Griffith officiating. 

Visitation will be 10:00 am until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

Private family burial services will be in Salem Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Emmet Avenue Baptist Church, in care of Heckart Funeral Home.