Rose Marie Southall Clegg was granted her prayer on December 31, 2025 that God take her home so she could be with her beloved husband and family and do the things she loved to do once again. She died at home and was blessed to have all of her children and grandchildren with her for one last Christmas together.
Rose was born on September 16, 1932 in Statts Mills, WV to Holly and Ruby Southall. The family later moved to Salt Hill to establish the home where she and her siblings grew up. She graduated from Ripley High School in 1951 and attended Mountain State Business College. She worked at Fairmont Foods for 7 years and had many wonderful stories of her time as a working girl. There, she became friends with Betty Clegg whose brother, Harold, had just returned from the Navy. Betty arranged for Rose and Harold to meet. They married on November 15, 1958. They established their home in South Parkersburg and started their family soon after.
She was a member of First Baptist Church during her working years. After moving to south Parkersburg, she attended South Parkersburg United Methodist Church for many years. She belonged to Gihon CEOS in her retirement years.
Rose had a servant’s heart – she loved to do things for family and friends. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family with her whole heart and was always there for them. She took great pride in her home and loved welcoming family and friends. After having a stroke in 2017, she defeated all odds and recovered to have more time with her family. She and Harold were living examples of how to have a successful marriage and life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, her parents, Holly and Ruby Southall, and her siblings, Troy, Forrest, and Bertrice Lee. She is survived by her children, Jennifer Powell (Jim) of Parkersburg, Cynthia Harris (Grey) of Charleston, Mike Clegg (Laura) of Fort Worth, TX, and four grandchildren as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. She will be watching over her first great grandchild from heaven when he arrives later this spring.
Funeral services will be Thursday 2PM at the Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg with Reverend Mark James officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 12-2PM.
The family would like to thank Dr. William Tomlinson and his staff as well as Adoration Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during the last few weeks of Rose’s life.
Online guests may send condolences to the family by visiting www.LeavittFuneralHome.com.
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