Mr. Marvin Royal Rose, age 95, a resident of 90 Rose Allen Lane, Pantego, died Monday, March 5, 2012, at his home.

Union Grove Church of Christ, in Christian love, has given the use of their church where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. The service will be officiated by Phillip M. Paul and William A. Griffin. Burial will follow in Davis Cemetery. Rex Lefever, Bobby Rose Jr., Jack Rose Jr., Eddie Boyd, Tommy Gray and Terry Cooper will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Rocky Allen, Larry Cooper, Harold Alligood, Gerry Cooper, Vann Cooper and Reid Cooper.

Mr. Rose was born on Oct. 13, 1916, in Beaufort County to the late Ernest T. Rose and late Marietta Hodges Rose. On Dec. 21, 1935, he married his “Sweetheart” Dorothy Cooper Rose who survives.

Mr. Rose was a member of Wenona Church of Christ. Mr. Rose loved his brothers and sisters in Christ at Wenona and hundreds of others he fellowshipped with over the years in eastern North Carolina and beyond. Mr. Rose served on the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees at Roanoke Bible College for 37 years. Mr. and Mrs. Rose opened their home to many student preachers from the college as they prepared to enter the ministry. He was a Charter Member of the Pungo Ruritan Club, an active member for 50 years and continued as an honorary member until his death.

Mr. Rose was happiest when his wife was by his side. He treasured each of his children and as the families grew, each grandchild, great-grandchild and great-great-grandchild. Mr. Rose was a great storyteller. He enjoyed telling humorous tales about his childhood, co-workers and neighborhood children. Anyone who visited him was sure to stay longer than intended but would always leave with a good laugh. Mr. Rose farmed while he worked for North Carolina Paper Company (Weyerhaeuser Paper Company) and later was self-employed as a welder. He took pleasure in building his home, furniture and toys for the grandchildren and special neighbors.

In addition to his beloved wife of 76 years, Mr. Rose is survived by his daughter, Wanda Rose McCants and husband William “Bill” F. McCants of New Bern; son, Charles Edward Rose and wife Patsy B. Rose of Pantego; daughter, Marianna Rose Phelps and husband Allen R. Phelps of Pantego; his brother, Bob U. Rose and wife Irene Rose of Moncks Corner, S.C.; grandchildren, Jennifer McCants Borgaila and husband David Borgaila of Honey Creek, Iowa; David F. McCants and wife Bonnie W. McCants of New Bern; Sheila Rose Phillips and husband R. A. Phillips of Pantego; Latricia Rose Porter and husband, Barry Porter of Prince George, Va.; Charles “Ward” Edward Rose Jr. and wife Tonja Q. Rose of Spring Hill, Tenn.; Meredith Phelps Briley and husband Mitchell C. Briley of Greenville; Allison H. Phelps of Pantego; great-grandchildren, Jordan Borgaila, Sara Borgaila, Rosie Borgaila, Grace Borgaila, and Will Borgaila; Janie McCants and Ella McCants; Zachary Phillips and wife Hannah and Orianna R. Phillips; Erica C. Askew and husband Eric, Caymen P. Belcher and husband Jimmy, and Devin Porter; Jonathan B. Lewis and wife Kelsey, and Charles “Chuck” E. Rose III; great-great-grandchildren, Lea Askew, Mary Askew, Brynlee Belcher, Seth Barker-Borgaila and Kara Williams-Borgaila.

Mr. Rose was preceded in death by his brother, Floyd J. Rose and wife Nora C. Rose, and sister-in-law, Huey Rose.

Mr. Rose’s family would like to thank Kimberly Allen for her assistance as a caregiver and friend.

The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. tonight at Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven and other times at the home.

Flowers are welcome and appreciated and the family kindly asks for any memorial contributions to be made to Wenona Church of Christ, 7262 Highway 99 South, Pantego, NC 27860, Mid-Atlantic Christian University, 715 North Poindexter St., Elizabeth City, NC  27909 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern NC Chapter, 1305 Navaho Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC  27609.

Mr. Rose’s video tribute may be viewed and condolences may be offered by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Rose family.