Charlotte Perrigan Rose, passed away on November 3, 2016 at home. Charlotte was born on July 26, 1944 in Dickenson county Virginia. She was the daughter of Clyde and Pearl Perrigan, she was a true "coal miner's daughter" one of 6 children, growing up in the coalfields of Virginia was truly a hard scrabble life.

She met the love of her life and married Jessie C. Rose in 1961, she had her first son, Christopher in 1962 and her youngest son Anthony (Scoop) in 1965, they all moved to Newport News in 1968, where she soon became a working Mother.

Her life of service to others soon lead her to work for the office of human affairs in Newport News, as director of a neighborhood opportunity center on Huntington Avenue. NOC 3, as it was known, was where she would provide day care and after school activities for children, offer assistance to the underprivileged in obtaining job leads, welfare assistance, medical services and any other support she could.

Very resourceful, she could navigate the sea of red tape and get people the help they needed, one way or the other, often giving from her own cupboard, closet or purse. All while helping her sons set their shoulders for the heavy loads and responsibilities of life.

She later became the manager of Friends of the Homeless, a shelter in downtown Newport News, where she worked until retirement. While there she hosted countless women, children, and families, while helping them get back on their feet, she truly loved her job, she would go above and beyond the call to provide for "My People" as she called them. Christmas was a particularly enjoyable time for her at the shelter, she would solicit donations from toy stores, department stores, and grocery stores, to provide what, for many, was the best Christmas they had ever had.

Simultaneously, she organized and opened a "clothing closet" which provided clothing to the underprivileged, good clothing, she would not let anyone leave her clothing closet with rags or torn, dirty clothes.

Widowed in 1991, she continued to work and provide for everyone around her, known for her no nonsense "tell it like I see it "attitude, she was kind and loving, caring and the most selfless woman we have ever known. But, she was a redhead! And she had the fiery temper, and would NOT bite her tongue when angered.

After retirement, Charlotte enjoyed time with her grandchildren. Friday night was always "Grandma Charlotte" night. Beginning when Whitney was very young, she would spend the night with Grandma every Friday night, a tradition that carried down to Jessie when he was born, and continued right 'till the end.

She was an active member of Charity Independent Baptist Church. She enjoyed church very much and talked often about the events, and great friends she had there.

Music was always a presence in her life, she enjoyed country, bluegrass, blues, rock and roll and, in her youth was a very good "flatfoot" dancer, a form of clogging common in the Appalachian region. Though unable to play an instrument, both her sons are musicians and she was very supportive.

Though it was very difficult to walk, and in constant pain, she rarely complained and did not want anyone to pity her, she would make her way to her little blue KIA Sportage, and away she went.   By the way, her middle name, given to her by her father, was Zane, the tags on her KIA said "ZANEY", his nickname for her. She drove the wheels off of that thing, it was her legs.

Charlotte was a shining light in an ever-darkening world, she was loved as much for her selfless, caring way, as she was for her direct approach and very vocal opinion. SHE WILL BE MISSED.

She is Survived by: Her sons, Chris Rose and his wife Edith, of Smithfield VA., Anthony Rose of Newport News VA., Grandchildren, Whitney Riggs and her husband Paul, of Newport News VA., Adam Rose of Hampton, VA., Jake Rose of Alexandria, VA., Jessie Rose of Smithfield, VA., Great granddaughter, Lillian Riggs. Sisters, Emma McKinney of Dickenson Co. Va., Brenda Estep of Richlands Va., Brother Bertrand Perrigan of Dickenson Co. Va., And numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Clyde and Pearl Perrigan, Her husband, Jessie C. Rose, Sisters, Marie McCowan and Shirley Puckett, and Brother, Clayton Perrigan.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 6:00PM at Charity Independent Baptist Church, 39 Harpersville Rd, Newport News, VA 23601.