Rose Blue unexpectedly departed this world on 21 July 2022 at her home. Rose was born on18 April 1962 in Wiesbaden Germany. She met her husband Tom in 1978 while he was stationed in Kemel, Germany in the Taunus Mountains overlooking Wiesbaden. Rose and Tom were married in December 1981 in Charlotte, NC. They celebrated their 40^th Wedding Anniversary in December 2021.

Rose loved being an Army Wife and supported his Army career spanning twenty-one years.  In the years Rose was married to Tom, they were stationed at Fort Benning, GA, Fort Bliss, TX, Fort Carson, CO, Salisbury, NC, Karlsruhe, Germany, Mainz, Germany, Fort Leavenworth, KS, The Pentagon, Yongsan, South Korea, and Southport NC.

Rose loved volunteering her time to help others during her travels.  Rose especially loved her times with Military Spouse Support Groups.  She loved volunteering at various schools to include Stafford Elementary School, Stafford, Virginia, Karlsruhe American Elementary School, Karlsruhe, Germany, Southport Elementary School, Southport, North Carolina, and Bolivia Elementary, in Bolivia, North Carolina where she was chosen as the Volunteer of the Year.  Rose also volunteered in Yongsan, South Korea where she assisted in the transition of Army soldiers and families into and out of South Korea. Rose was presented with many awards and decorations during her time as an Army Wife. While living in Yongsan, Rose was personally presented with a Civilian Achievement Medal from Major General Tommy Franks, Commanding General, 2^nd Infantry Division for her support of the Soldiers of the 2^nd Infantry Division.

Most of all, Rose loved and was devoted to her family.  She was a most loving wife, proud mother and a devoted grandmother. Rose never thought of herself but her family.  Every trip to a store resulted in Rose buying not for herself but for her husband, children, or grandchildren.  She never missed a birthday, anniversary, or other important event.  She loved going to any event her children or grandchildren participated in especially at school.  Attending a baseball, soccer game, karate match or a wrestling match was a must.  She was eagerly awaiting the start of the baseball season this fall.      

Rose is survived by her husband of over forty years Thomas G. Blue, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Retired, two daughters Michelle B. Sullivan of Leland, NC, Jennifer M. Blue of Southport, NC, five grandchildren, Carleigh Bowling, Connor Sullivan, Colton Sullivan all of Leland, NC, Eleanor Sheppard of Southport, NC, Elijah Sheppard of Shallotte, her father Dieter Hessel of Mainz, Germany, her brother Roland Hessel and his wife Marion of Mainz, Germany, and two nephews Dominic Hessel and Joshua Hessel of Mainz, Germany. Rose was preceded in death by her mother, Silvia Hessel of Wiesbaden, Germany.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 3:00 PM, Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Brunswick Funeral Service, Southport/Oak Island Chapel by The Rev. CeCe McConnell. The family will receive friends at 2:00 PM, prior to the service. Burial will be in Cape Fear Memorial Park, Southport, NC.

 In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bolivia Elementary School.