Gwinnett Daily Post

Rose Myree Thomas Johns, of Griffin, Georgia, died Sunday, February 3, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer and a short illness. She was 60 years old. Rose gave her heart and her tremendous reserves of love to her Lord; to her husband Jim, and their son, Chip and his family; to her mother and father, brothers and sister; to her church; and to her countless friends. She is already sorely missed by many. Rose was born on April 24, 1952, in Macon, Georgia, the first child of Anne and Billy Thomas. She was a graduate of Griffin High School and attended Huntington College and Valdosta State University. She and her mother started R.S.V.P. Catering, a successful business that kept them extremely busy and their clients well fed and entertained. After retiring from the business, Rose continued to occasionally provide her talented skills for special events in the community. Rose developed and successfully managed the Specialty Gifts Division of Thomas Packing Company, a third-generation meat packing plant in Griffin, which was established in 1948 by her grandfather. She was affectionately known as the “Turkey Queen” by her co-workers and employed many “elves” during the busy holiday season. When Thomas Packing Company closed, after having been in business for over half a century, Rose worked for a brief period at Snider-Killingsworth Insurance. Always creative, Rose and her friend Ramona, began “Shine and Dine”, offering clients a clean house and a delicious home-cooked meal at the end of the day. “Shine and Dine” gave Rose another avenue for using her gifts in the kitchen. Rose was a lifelong member of Griffin First United Methodist Church, where she served in many capacities. Her love for God and for her church led her to serve wherever she was needed- from Sunday school teacher to member of the Christian Enrichment Center Building Committee, a center that serves the needs of many in Griffin today. The heart of her church life was the Dunkers Sunday school class. Rose showed her great love of the Lord through acts of service. When a friend or neighbor was ill or going through a difficult time, Rose cooked a delicious meal and brought it to them. If her Sunday school class, the Dunkers, needed help with a service project, they knew Rose would raise her hand to work. Friends going through a crisis would find a funny card in their mailbox with a sweet and thoughtful message written inside. When she and her Sunday school class learned of a single mother raising her five nieces and nephews, Rose and her friends went shopping. The basics were not good enough for Rose; these children and their aunt would have the best. Rose couldn’t help but be generous. It was part of who she was. Even when fatigued by her chemotherapy treatments, Rose mustered up the energy to go to church. She knew God would feed her through the teaching of His Word. Rose’s faith was manifested in loving others through action -- gracious acts of love that will be greatly missed. Rose met the love of her life in 1972 while waitressing at Russell’s Restaurant in Locust Grove. Jim (J.J.) caught her eye with his dashing good looks and his habit of leaving her silver dollar tips. This year they would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful union of mutual love, respect and friendship. Their adoration of each other was abundantly evident whenever you were in their presence. Rose was a proud mother, having successfully raised a fine young son, Chip. Chip and his wife Emily gave Rose the “young loves” of her life, Brice and Hailey. “Mimi” (much too young to be called “Grandmother”) absolutely adored Brice and Hailey and provided them with memories and love that will last a lifetime. To know Rose was to love Rose. She had the rare gift of being able to make anyone she met feel comfortable and welcomed. Her infectious smile reflected an endearing, fun-loving personality. Rose may have left this earth, but she continues to live on through each of the many lives that she touched in such positive ways. For those who did not know Rose, her spirit is still very much alive in the heart and spirit of each of the many family members and friends that are left behind. Though greatly grieved by her death, we have been incredibly blessed to have her as a part of our lives. Her legacy of compassion lives on in the lives of those she touched. Survivors include her husband of 39 years, James Clifford (J.J.) Johns, Sr.; her parents, Anne Compton Thomas and Billy Lee Thomas, Sr.; son, James Clifford (Chip) Johns, Jr. and wife, Emily and their children, Brice and Hailey, all of Griffin; brother, James (Jim) Thomas and wife Sue of Jackson, GA; brother, Lee Thomas and wife Tina of Griffin; sister, Virginia Thomas Smith and husband David of Sugar Hill, GA; adoptive brothers, Wayne English and Tim Evans of Griffin; aunt, Elizabeth (Tibba) Thomas Harwell of Griffin; nieces, Andrea Smith, Alicia Thomas, Vanna Holloway, Meghan Thomas and Kylee Thomas; nephews, Thomas Smith, Josh Thomas, Sam Holloway and William Thomas. She is also survived by numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and, multiple cousins, including Beverly Thomas Briggs, who shared the role of sister with Rose. Visitation for Rose Thomas Johns will be on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall of Griffin First United Methodist Church, 1401 Maple Drive, Griffin. Memorial services will be conducted on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 11:00 am at Griffin First United Methodist Church. The Reverend Kevin Lobello, Dr. Dan Brown and the Reverend Geoff Grubbs will officiate. Rose had a life-long love of flowers and their beauty and requested her memorial service reflect that love. Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, is in charge of arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com