Rosemary Falls

FALLS, ROSEMARY Ruby Rosemary Wilhelm Falls went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, September 4, 2003. Services will be held at 1:30pm Monday, September 8 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, 6101 Bosque Blvd. with our dear family friend, J.B. Owen officiating. Burial will be at 11am Tuesday, September 9 at White Point Cemetery, Comanche, Texas. Visitation with the family will be from 6-8pm Sunday, September 7 at the funeral home. Rosemary was raised in Comanche, Texas, the third of four children born to Mary Jane and Anderson Wilhelm. She was an accomplished and popular student, attending San Angelo State University and graduating from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Rosemary led a diverse, interesting life, which she lived with high energy, wit and style. She worked as an airline stewardess, teacher, television personality, gourmand, bed and breakfast host, author and public speaker. Ruby wrote two books, a cookbook, Make It Special, and the much–cherished Mary Jane’s Story, the story of her Mother’s life. Rosemary wrote a regular column for the Waco Tribune-Herald for over twenty years, covering a wide variety of topics. Her readers grew to know and love her and considered her a friend, as witnessed by the many letters she received from readers during her recent illness. Rosemary was a mentor to many young people throughout her long teaching career. From humble beginnings, she grew to become an accomplished adult with many talents. She made multiple contributions to her family, friends, students, churches, and to her community. She was a very bright light in all our lives; to know her was to love her. Rosemary is survived by her mother, Mary Jane, to whom she was devoted, and her husband, John Wesley Pettijohn, of Comanche, Texas. She leaves three children; Kerry Gray of Austin, Ryan Falls and his wife Sarah, of Arroyo City, and Kimberly Kimberlin and her husband David, of Birmingham, Alabama. Rosemary’s only regret was in leaving the lives of her beloved grandchildren, whom she adored. She was a wonderful grandmother, and they will forever miss her presence in their lives; Jordann and Kendall of Austin, and Will, Claire, and Katherine of Birmingham. Rosie was happy that Ryan and Sarah are expecting their first baby, for whom she will be a special guardian angel. “Tootsie” also leaves behind two dear and cherished sisters, Wanda Faye of Austin and Pat and her husband, Jack, of Comanche, and one brother, Curt, whose humor she treasured, and his wife Sue, of Harlingen. Also mourning her loss are a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who loved her dearly and will miss her tremendously. A bright light in our lives has been dimmed. We will fill the huge hole of sorrow in our hearts with wonderful memories and the knowledge that she is now at Home, free of pain, walking eternally with her Savior. Thank you to her many wonderful friends who stood by her side and held us up in our time of need and great sorrow. Her many good friends were such a joy to her; she cherished and appreciated each one of you “There are those who can dance on the head of a pin, and those who can pinpoint the dance. Rosemary could do both. Her tasks were done and done well. She kept her good humor and high spirits through the end. She is greatly loved and will be intensely missed by all who knew her. For Rosie, The beautiful gate stood ajar one day And our beloved one slipped through. She wandered away in the fields of God, Out of our finite view. Sheltered there in His Wonderful Love Happy and gay and sweet – Blithe spirit, she waits for the glorious dawn When reunion shall be complete! The years ahead look dreary and long But looking back we shall see. The way has been but “a watch in the night” From here to eternity. So may we wait with our hand in God’s For she holds her hand there, too Till someday the gate swings open again And we can follow her through. Isaiah 40:31 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY