Nell Day Rose, 93, of Cleveland, TN, died on Monday, April 21, 2014 at a local health care facility.
Nell grew up on a dairy farm in McMinn County until her early teens. She and her family moved to Bradley County in the late 1930s where they owned a small grocery store on Inman Street. She enjoyed lifelong friendships with many of her high school mates at the original Bradley High School on Ocoee Street. Nell, with her ever smile and pleasant personality, made many friends from her days as manager of the Gateway Card Shop located in the original Cleveland Mall. In her retirement years, she loved her time at the local Senior Citizen Center where she was often seen playing Rook and talking with her many friends. She especially enjoyed bragging rights about her family of which she was most proud. She will always be remembered for her quick wit and love of people.
Nell was preceded in death by her parents, John and Nannie Dixon; husband, Cullman R. Day (father of her son); husband, Leslie Rose; granddaughter, LeAnne Varnell; brothers, Grady, Paul, Tuck, Chester, Pete, Sam and Spencer Dixon; and sisters, Mae Shamblin, Grace Ware, Artie Melton and Georgia Dixon.
Nell is survived by her son, Daniel Day and wife Jeannie of Chattanooga; daughter, Judy Varnell and husband Dennis of Cleveland; grandchildren, Meghan Day of Nashville, Dylan Day of Chattanooga and Cindy Scott of Midland, TX; great-grandchildren, Emily Varnell of Cleveland, Meredith Orr of Cleveland and Will Scott of Midland, TX; and two great-great grandchildren, Kaylie and Jordon Varnell.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at Grissom Funeral Home with Pastor Karen Bogart officiating.
The family will receive friends from 2-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 at the Grissom Funeral Home, who is in charge of the arrangements.