Rose Eleanor (McNamee) Impey was born on August 31,1923, in Louisville, Kentucky and spent her youth in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. She passed away on her 101st birthday on August 31, 2024, in Houston, Missouri where she has lived continuously since 1964.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Thomas McNamee and Norine Regina Walsh McNamee Randall; her husband, David E. Impey Jr.; her sons, William David Impey (Merry) and David Michael Impey; her daughter, Rita Louise Impey-Imes (Tom); her brothers, Thomas W. McNamee and Joseph E. McNamee; and her sister, Mary Rita McNamee Smith. She is survived by her children, John Thomas Impey, Robert Lee Impey and Joseph Elijah Impey all of Houston, Missouri, Julia Ann Impey Aubrey (Robert) of Oxford, Mississippi, and James Edward Impey of Columbia, Missouri. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Emily Ann Ramnarine (Rohan), Michael Aubrey, Elizabeth Churchwell (Adam), Robbie Impey, and Alex Imes, and great grandchildren, Ariana Churchwell, Jack Churchwell, Henry Ramnarine and Evelyn Ramnarine.
Rose graduated from Cathedral High School in Denver, Colorado in May 1942 and then returned to Nashville, TN. where she was a real “Rosie the Riveter” working to assemble B-24 Liberators for use in World War II. On January 1, 1948, she married Houston native, David E. Impey, Jr. in Nashville, Tennessee. The couple moved to Columbia, Missouri where David finished his undergraduate and master’s degree in agriculture. In 1964, the family moved to Houston to raise their eight children and operated the Houston Insurance Agency for 24 years.
During the entirety of the time that she lived in Houston, Rose was actively involved in the community as a business owner and leadership in encouraging economic development in Houston. She was president of the Houston Community Betterment and Arts Council, Friends of the Library, and owner of a not-for-profit bookstore that is still active serving the community. Rose was one of the founding members of the St. Marks Catholic Church and served in many capacities supporting her church family. She was an excellent bridge player, a fine singer, pianist, and her Irish green thumb could make anything grow.
In 2007, David and Rose received the Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, Rose was recognized by the Governor of Missouri for her 70 years of marriage, and last year was also recognized for her 100th birthday in a special proclamation.
Rose organized and funded countless events for children including Easter Egg hunts, Halloween parties, concerts, community plays, and book giveaways for the Houston community. She had a wide network of friends in the community that spanned eight decades and has helped support future leaders of community development.
A visitation will be held for Rose on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 10AM – 11AM at Evans Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 11AM with Father Rayappa Chinnabathini officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Evans Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.evansfh.com
