Rosalie embarked on her last adventure on Feb. 17, 2022 two months shy of her 100th birthday. She was an incredibly strong woman who grew up on a farm near Alderson, W.Va., attended nursing school in D.C., followed her husband, DB, to different ports during WWII, worked an array of jobs to help him through dental school, and attended classes herself at Baylor University.
When they moved to Christiansburg, she could often be found with a sledge hammer in her hand knocking out walls, laying tile, or building a fireplace. She won awards for her flower arrangements, her artwork, and as best friend and “adopted mom” to all who entered her door. She was the owner of Paint Brush Gallery, the first frame shop in the area.
Rosalie loved to host huge meals for her family and will be remembered for the life-size nativity she built that stopped traffic on Main Street for many years.
She was always ready for a new experience and traveled to China, Europe, the Caribbean, and anywhere her children or grandchildren lived. She will be missed by her daughters Jennie Reilly (Mike) and Linda Dalton; her grandchildren John Kelley (Margie), Alan Trout (Rachel), Elizabeth Dalton (Keith), and Zack Trout (Stephanie); and her five great-grandaughters.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at 11 a.m. in the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.