Obituary of Rose Anna Wade

Rose Anna Wade passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, after a lengthy illness. She leaves behind Michael, her husband of almost forty-seven years; and three sons and daughters-in-law to whom she was very close--Andrew Bancroft and Danielle, Patrick Michael and Ashley, and Kevin Henry and Jordan. She is also survived by five grandchildren she dearly loved--Lindsay Rose, Michael, Evie, Mollie, and Atticus. A fourth granddaughter will be born in September. From a large, close family of French heritage, her mother Semay Henry; sisters Gilda Arcuri and Elaine Burns; brothers Tommy, Roy, and Gil also remain to honor her memory, as do their wives (Donna, Anna, and Libby respectively) and her numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Steve and his wife Mila. She was preceded in death by her father, Gilbert Henry, Sr. and sister, Marie Deaton. Rose Anna was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, on March 13, 1950. The oldest daughter of Gilbert and Semay Henry, she was class salutatorian and homecoming queen at Leon Godchaux High School in Reserve, LA. She was an honor graduate at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, graduating early with a degree in mathematics and education. Rose Anna and Mike met in March of 1969, got engaged in April, and married on June 6, 1970. She taught mathematics in Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas, and North Carolina. At Watauga High School, she taught a broad range of math courses, and worked many more hours than there are in a school day. Along the way, she gave her own children the love and attention that enabled them to grow into accomplished young men. Prior to her retirement in 2010 she served as Math Department Chair and was a significant voice in the successful campaign for a new Watauga High School. After retirement, she supervised student teachers for Appalachian State Universitys Department of Mathematics, cared for grandchildren, and worked the polls on election days. Rose Anna lived a full life. She gave freely of her talents and sensibilities, asking little in return. She enabled her husband to complete graduate school; she taught her students and her children to be honorable, independent, and accountable, and was a mentor for young teachers. Her passions were her family and being in the classroom. Her legacy is the success of her students, the respect of her peers, the strong careers and marriages of her children, and the undying love and devotion of a husband who knows that she was the best thing that ever happened to his life. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday morning, May 6th, at 10 oclock at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, officiated by Father Matthew Codd. Rite of Christian burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5 until 7 oclock at Austin & Barnes. In lieu of flowers, Rose Anna would prefer that people wishing to remember her do so with donations to the Watauga County Education Foundation, PO Box 2658, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Wade family.