Rose Marie Carothers

Rose Marie was born on August 5, 1941 to Christian Craig Yonge and Augusta Marie McGlamery Yonge in Americus, Georgia. She became the little sister to George Stephen Yonge who resides in Orlando, Florida. At 16, she became the elder sister to Christian Craig Yonge Jr. who died at the tender age of 13.
As a vivacious, intelligent, and athletic child she was a dancer and quite the entertainer in ballet, pointe and tap. Her mother was a talented seamstress and made all her beautiful recital costumes. Later on, Rose Marie’s beauty was second only to her dedication to her education. She was a “straight A” student, cheerleader, point guard in basketball (lettering all 4 years) and the Miss Sumter County beauty pageant winner for the Miss Georgia pageant in 1959.
After graduating from Americus High School, she attended Atlanta Business College. While there, she married Gene Reeves in 1961 who was also from Americus and attending the University of Georgia at the time. They returned home and quickly started a family. They had two daughters together, Tina Marie and Virginia Mildred “Millie”. The marriage did not last and as a new single mother of two, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1967.
The sunshine state allowed Rose Marie to shine also. It was there that she discovered her love for golf and found that she was made for the game. She became a pro golfer and won many tournaments throughout the southeast. She was competitive, outgoing, and adventurous. From golf tournaments to deep sea fishing, she set records in all she did.
The best record win of all was in 1974 when she met and married William “Bill” Raymond Carothers. He was the love of her life, and she was happier than ever before. Bill was originally from Winfield and his parents were getting older and in need of a helping hand. They decided to pack up the girls and new stepson William “Billy” Raymond Jr., from the big city of Jacksonville and move to Winfield, Alabama.
They both began working for the Winfield City School system, he was an elementary teacher and varsity coach and Rose Marie as the custodian of funds for the Board of Education. She eventually worked at the Fayette County Board of Education and retired after 30 years. During their marriage they welcomed and helped raise many beautiful grandchildren: Kayla Marie Carothers (John) Hasty, Brianna Rose Sandlin (Wayne) Creel, Johnathon Adam Sandlin (Julie), Jacob “Jake” Dale Palmer (Emily), Zachary “Zac” Shaler Carothers, Dylan Cane Carothers and Haley Sue Carothers. In 2011 her loving husband passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. She cared for him at home for 10 years prior to his death and mourned him until her own battle from the awful disease ended at the age of 82.
Her life was truly an honorable one. As described by her granddaughter, she was a God-fearing woman, the partner in adventures, financial advisor, secret keeper, the rock of their foundation, spiritual leader and teacher, and best friend. We have all been blessed to have known her and she will forever be the light at the core of our souls to continue to guide us through life and into paradise.
Rose Marie was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, husband, and great-granddaughter. She leaves behind three children, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Mrs. Carothers were held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel with a graveside service that followed in the Winfield City Cemetery.
Bowen Funeral Home
981 State Highway 253
Winfield, AL  35594
205-487-4327