Amy Rosebery

Amy (Ayres) Rosebery passed away peacefully on May 2, 2016. Amy was a lifelong member of the Kirksville community and a respected and essential member of the Truman State University cultural society. She was born September 8, 1921 near Atlanta, MO.

As the wife and partner of Dr. Dean A. Rosebery, Amy led the couple’s passion for advocating, promoting and championing the university and its many programs as well as its artistic and educational events.

Amy and Dean shared 70 years together as husband and wife and as teammates in all of their endeavors. Together they raised two children; James Franklin Rosebery and Margaret Ellen (Rosebery) McKinney.

Amy spent most of her life in Northeast Missouri. She grew up on a farm near Atlanta, Missouri. That farm earned bi-centennial status in 1976, as the homestead of the Ayres family for over 100 years.

Amy graduated from Atlanta High School. Upon graduation she attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, now Truman State University.

Amy met her future husband Dean, who preceded her in death in February 2014, while attending NMSU. Amy was the valedictorian of the class 1943. Following graduation the couple married before Dean departed for naval service during World War II.

During the war Amy earned her master’s degree from Columbia University in New York. Amy was an English teacher in Biggsville, Illinois and Blacksburg, Virginia as the couple moved about the country prior to relocating in their home community of Northeast Missouri and Kirksville in 1952 when Dean took a position at the college.

From that time forward the couple focused their professional lives on the school and gave tirelessly of their time and energies.

Once the couple returned to Kirksville they became leading citizens and promoters, who were tireless in their support of the local community and the university. As a leading resident Amy was very active in the local area. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church as well as a member of the Miriam Circle of the United Methodist Women.

She was also a member of the College Dames, the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, Chapter SW of the PEO sisterhood and the Wednesday Bridge Club.

Amy extended her service to her children too. She served as Den mother, for her son’s Cub Scout troop. She also served as a Girl Scout leader, for her daughter’s team, for 6 years and directed the Girl Scout Day Camp for 2 years.

Amy was preceded in death by her parents Joe H. and Lyda (Simpson) Ayres, and her sister, Martha Ayres, who died in 1983.

Amy is survived by her brother, Joe G. Ayres of Naperville, Illinois. She is also survived by her son, Frank Rosebery and his wife Wanda, of Huntsville, Alabama and her daughter, Margaret McKinney and her husband, Robert of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her grandchildren: Kristin Rosebery, Jay Rosebery and Jay’s wife Ginny, as well as Veronica McKinney and Trey McKinney.

Amy was also the Great-grandmother of Jack and Luc Rosebery, who will miss their Ga greatly.

Amy was a steadfast and resolute woman of refined taste and eloquence in thoughts, words and deeds. She was a caring and loving matriarch who guided her family with firm kindness and gentle discipline.

She was a joy to know and we are deeply saddened by our loss but we will strive to guide our lives by the legacy she has left behind.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday (May 7, 2016) at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Richard Northcutt officiating. Burial will be in the LaPlata Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church.