Rosemary Edwards Moore

On November 19, 2024, surrounded by her husband and children, Rosemary Edwards Moore peacefully passed away from this life and into the passionate embrace of her Heavenly Father.

Albert & Audie welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Rosemary Lynne, on February 12, 1952, in Wayne County, NC. Growing up in a farm family, Rose learned the importance of hard work and the value of family at a young age. When Rose wasn’t babysitting her real-life baby doll and little sister, Von, she was making mud houses for frogs with her younger brother, Mark. Her favorite past times included lying under the shade of the pecan trees, singing to her pretend audiences, and devouring her mother’s homemade biscuits in the morning. She acquired her incredible work ethic and impressive tan after hours in the tobacco fields each summer.

Rose graduated from Southern Wayne High School in 1970 (marshal) and was a Bryan Scholar at Mount Olive College, receiving a two-year degree in 1972. Having always been a studious individual, Rose applied that dedication to her piano lessons with Mrs. Spain starting in the second grade. From third grade on, she excelled in recitals, performed duets with Albert at church, and even accompanied the high school chorus years later.    

Rose met her future husband in 1970 at a Southern Wayne High School football game. Their connection was instant. They married on August 14, 1971, and remained together for the next 53 years. In 1977, Rose and Carlton settled on family land. There they would raise four children: Chris, Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Michael.

After raising children at home for several years, Rose began her career at Mount Olive Family Medicine Center, where she worked for 35 years. By the time of her retirement in 2022, she possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of all things medical. Her family called her “Doctor Grandma.”

Rose adopted her father’s belief that “If the church doors are open, we will be there.” At Friendly Holiness Church, Rose served as pianist, treasurer, and in various leadership roles. She had an unwavering faith and steadfast commitment to her church family.

Through her gifts—from her sourdough bread to her sweet singing voice—Rose used her blessings to bless others. In all she did, Rose embodied the sacrificial love of her Savior. Wife, mother, grandmother, caretaker, therapist, nurse, teacher. Tender as a flower, tough as nails. These are the chords that made up her life’s song. In the countless lives she touched, that masterpiece resonates.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Carlton, and her children: Christopher Moore (Amie), Jennifer Sawyer (David), Elizabeth King (Bryan), and Michael Moore (Sarah). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Clara Rose Moore, Isaac Sawyer, Olivia Moore, Airlie Sawyer, Ruby Sawyer, Maggie Rose Sawyer, Carter Moore, William King, Jacob Moore, and Civel King. Rose also leaves behind her cherished siblings, Yvonne Hartley (Ronnie) and Mark Edwards (Melissa). She is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Albert and Audie Edwards, as well as an older brother, Albert Dale.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, November 22, at the Friendly Holiness Christian Life Center from 3:00 to 4:15. A service celebrating her life will follow at 4:30.

Dunn Funeral Home of Newton Grove is honored to serve the Rosemary Moore family.

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