Franklin "Sonny" Rose, 81, died Sunday, July 17, 2016 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.  Born on April 26, 1935in Tams, WV to the late Jonathan and Mamie Rose, he had been a Hampton resident since 1961. He retired from Newport News Shipbuilding in 1997 after 35 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Sue Rose; six sisters and one brother. Survivors include his daughter, Brenda Bateman and her husband, John; his son, Wesley Rose; two grandchildren, Cody and Brandy; and one sister, Arlene Day of Grandview, WV. Not only will Sonny be missed by his family and friends, but also by his four-legged friend, his black lab "Max" who will miss following him around the house.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Thursday, July 21, 2016 in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel. Interment with Army honors will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6-7PM Wednesday at the funeral home.