Rozelle E. (Rose) Porter, age 94, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, passed away at 4:45 p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024, at the Lawrence County Residential Center. She was born December 17, 1929, in Campbell, Missouri, the daughter of Joseph Wesley and Samantha Lou (Steele) Johnson.

Rose lived in Mt. Vernon until 1972 when she married John Porter, and they moved to Alexandria, Louisiana. They made frequent fishing trips to Toledo Bend, and Rose learned how to make gumbo and her famous hush puppies.

In 1983, after John’s retirement, they moved back to Mt. Vernon, Missouri, to be closer to her family. They enjoyed fishing at Stockton Lake and became RV owners. Rose was a great cook, and John was an expert at frying fish.

They started spending the winter months in Harlingen, Texas, where they enjoyed golfing, playing cards, dancing and meeting new friends. After John passed away, Rose continued her trips to South Texas for several years.

Rose worked in several office positions, at Anderson Uniforms and Peck’s Heating, both in Mt. Vernon, Missouri and Rent-A-Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. What she loved best was taking care of her family and preparing family dinners. She was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mt. Vernon, for over 50 years.

Rose is survived by her daughters, Sharon Bacon and Debbie Dryer, both of Mt. Vernon, Missouri and Marlene (Bill) Blessing of Addison, Texas; four grandchildren, April Tucker, Brent Bacon, Bryan Bacon and Libby (Beau) Herbert; 11 great-grandchildren, Kayla, Kelsey, Kyler, Chelsie, Kaitlyn, Logan, Edwin, Sydney, Kody, Jakob and Kaleb and five great-great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Samantha; her former husbands, Francis Choate, who was the father of her children, John Porter and J.B. Burson; two sisters. Ilene Seawright and Virginia Myers; three brothers, Charley, J.W. and Gerald Johnson and her son-in-law, Jerry Bacon.

A visitation under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, in Mt. Vernon, will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024, at the First Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at the church. A burial will follow at the Mt. Vernon IOOF cemetery.

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