Jurisson, Rosalie Gwinn
Rosalie Gwinn Jurisson embarked on her next adventure on February 17, 2022 two months shy of her 100th birthday. She was an incredibly strong woman.
She grew up on a farm near Alderson, WV, attended nursing school in DC, followed her husband, DB, to different ports during WWII, worked an array of jobs to help him through dental school, and attended classes herself at Baylor University. When they moved to Christiansburg, it was not unusual to find her with a sledge hammer knocking out walls, laying tile, or building a fireplace. A woman of many talents, she won awards for her flower arrangements, her art work, and as best friend and “adopted mom” to all who entered her door.
She was the owner of Paint Brush Gallery, the first frame shop in the area. Rosalie loved to host huge meals for her family and will be remembered for the life size nativity she built that stopped traffic on Main Street for many years. She was always ready for a new experience and traveled to China, Europe, the Caribbean and anywhere her children or grandchildren lived.
She will be achingly missed by her daughters Jennie Reilly (Mike) and Linda Condon; her grandchildren John Kelley (Margie), Alan Trout (Rachel), Elizabeth Dalton (Keith), Zack Trout (Stephanie) and her five Great Grandaughters.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.
February 19, 2022 @ 11:44 am
Mom Jurisson was one of the kindest and most loving people I have ever known. She was and remains as close to my heart as my own parents. As a teenage boy I visited in 1966. I hitchhiked from Florida. It was midnight. Mom and Dad met and greeted me at the car. She and Dad were so warm and gracious. It was as if they were Welcoming me home again.
Later as part of the family, Mom & Dad invited my wife, my beautiful Son John Dee & our German Shepard Tweet to live there with them for the year before I was deployed to Vietnam as a USAF combat pilot.
During that year, Dad knowing I wanted to become a physician drilled me for hours on anatomy. Mom put up wi it somehow. Largely due to their support I was able to attend Medical School.
Over the next decade my Love & Appreciation for Mom & Dad Jurisson, Linda, Shirley and Rodney Downs, Jeffry and James grew and became a huge part of my life. The countless acts of love and support from this beautiful family sustained me & emotionally enriched me for many years.
Even after a painful separation, Mom and Dad made sure I knew that their love for me as their Son was as strong as ever. Dad had a terrific tenor voice which he passed on to John. We both loved Mario Lanza. Once many years later I called Mom and instead of saying anything, I played a Lanza song. Mom hung up! She thought it was a prank call. I called her right back and we have laughed about it many, many times.
Many times a divorce totally destroys the Family’s relationship with the one leaving the family. Not in this case. My loving Mom-Son relationship has endured over these 56 years. I believe Moms loving Soul sustained it.
Mom continues to live and love in my heart and memories and in the heart of my Son who adored DB and Rosalie as do I. Today, Mom & Dad are reunited. It won’t be long until I join them. When I do I know they will meet me at the car and Welcome me home again.
February 23, 2022 @ 10:12 am
So sorry to our friends who loved their grandmother dearly. She was a woman if such integrity, beauty, and honor. Such a kind loving soul who truly loved her family and was very much loved by her family. We are all sad to hear she has passed.