Rosemary “Rosie” Elizabeth Leach Merold, 50, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 13, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
Rosie was born in Waco, Texas, and was part of the Fairhope High School graduating class of 1981. She received her B.S. from the University of West Florida and her master’s degree in education from the University of South Alabama.
Rosie worked as a reading specialist with the Alabama State Department of Education.
She attended Spanish Fort United Methodist Church and along with her passion for teaching, she loved to travel, decorate cupcakes, go to the beach and watch sunsets.
However, Rosie’s greatest joys were found in supporting her husband and daughters.
She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Leach; and brother, Thomas T. Leach.
Survivors include her husband, Mike Merold; her daughters, Michaela and Savannah; her parents, James “Woody” and Barbara Cotton of Daphne; her stepmother, Janelle Leach of Navarre, Fla.; her brother, James Joseph Cotton of Houston, Texas; her sisters, Viki Leach (Eric) Woerner of Vicksburg, Miss. and Barbara Leach of Cedar Bluff Ala.; and many other relatives and friends.
A celebration of Rosie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2013 at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Debora Bishop officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the GIST Cancer Research Fund at 55 Saw Mill Road, New York, NY 10956 or at www.gistinfo.org.
Notes of condolence for the family may be expressed at hughesfh.com.
Arrangements by Hughes Funeral Home & Crematory, Daphne.
