Rose Shief Gilmore

Rose Shief Gilmore was born on October 4, 1909 in Harrison County, Pass Christian, Mississippi. She entered into eternal rest on March 12, 2004 at the age of 94. Rose was the daughter of the late Ambrose Shief and Rebecca Salvant Shief, and was the last surviving of their twelve children. Her parents made and independent living in Mississippi, and taught their children the value of hard work, self-sufficiency, proper conduct, and how to care about others. She was taught to be kind, to love, and to respect the rights of others. Rose and her mother moved to Washington, D.C. in the late 1940’s after her father’s death, and while in D.C., she lived with her older brother, Ambrose Shief, Jr. She cared for her mother, Rebecca, until her mother’s death in 1960. She worked part-time as a seamstress in the Washington, D.C. area.Rose was always involved in the lives of her nieces when they were young, and would take them on vacations, make them beautiful clothes, make cookies, and share her wisdom, love, and grace with them. She also taught her nieces how to sew and cook (although only Jody now remembers how to sew!). We all remember her delicious seafood Gumbo! There was always Gumbo in the freezer for us to eat when we came to visit, and to take home when we left. She taught us the value of eating balanced meals (including vegetables), and would not let us leave the table until our plates were clean. Rose taught her nieces what “proper” behavior was for a nice young lady, and she would accept no less. Rose always had a sweet and sunny disposition with everyone, but was also known as the “family drill sergeant,” who was able to lovingly convince family members to do what she felt was right and should be done. When Aunt Rose spoke, we all jumped.Rose met Gettys Gilmore, and married him on August 3, 1958, and moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where Gettys had a home. She resided on Ruxton Avenue until her death. She taught Industrial Arts in the Baltimore City School System until her retirement.Rose made numerous friends wherever she went, and her generosity and optimistic attitude abut life will be greatly missed by everyone. She was always a true friend and a devoted family woman. Although Rose did not have any natural children of her own, she was always involved in child rearing. She helped raise her neighbor’s son, Joel Mallory, who was the “apple of her eye.” She expects Joel to be successful in life, and to remember all the life lessons she taught him. She thoroughly enjoyed the young children in her life, by allowing them to do things that they only did with “Aunt Rose” or “ Nana,” and later she would give them some of her words of wisdom.Rose is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including Joyce Kendall, John McLaughlin, Alvernon Williams, and JoHarry Williams of New York City, and Elberta Douglass of Washington, D.C. She is also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews, including Rebecca Shief Harlan, Bernardine Shief Reid, and Josephine Shief Lawson, of Washington D.C., Sheila Henley of Baltimore, Md., and Craig Kendall, Jessinia Peele,, and Justin Peele; and several great-great-great-nieces and nephews, Rachel Harlan, Kayla Reid, Jaylen Reid and Tristan Reid. She is also survived by a devoted goddaughter, Charise Grier (Neil) and her children, Joel and Monet Mallory, Vincent, Amanda and Melissa Grier; a host of other relatives and friends. Rose Shief Gilmore touched the lives of many people. May her spirit live on in all the lives she touched. She will always live in our hearts. Rose lived a very fulfilling life during her 94 years, and she has now gone to rest in the loving arms of God.

Tributes

Rose Shief Gilmore

October 4, 1909 - March 12, 2004