Rosalie Andrews Grado left her life here on earth to be with Jesus in heaven at the age of 88 on December 29, 2015.
Rose is survived by her husband of thirty four years, Salvadore P. (Sal) Grado; daughters Jeni Andrews Pepper and Sandi Andrews Riker; stepsons Charles Grado, Marc Grado and Lynn Grado; grandchildren Andrew Riker, Jason Riker, Sr., Matthew Pepper, Christopher Grado, Brooks Grado, Ciara Curtis, Marcy Grado and Karissa Grado; great- grandchildren Jason Riker, Jr., Heidi Riker, Ashli Riker and Aidan Riker; William Grado, Caroline Grado, Cody Grado, Geoffrey Grado, Connor Curtis and Addyson Curtis.
She was preceded in death by her parents Sidney Marion Wester and Nonnie Wester Peterson, her sister, Norma Rose, her brother Sidney Peterson, and her first husband, T.D. (Andy) Andrews.
Rose graduated from Baton Rouge High School and attended Louisiana State University, where she met and married Andy Andrews in 1947. They were married twenty- seven years, jointly running A&W Service Center, formerly the Electric Motor Shop, until his passing in 1974. As long-time members of First Baptist Church of Port Arthur, Rose and Andy worked in various children and youth ministries.
Rose sold the shop and earned her real estate and broker’s licenses. She established the Real Estate Mart and served as a director of the local real estate board. She married her current husband, Sal, in June, 1981. Most recently, they attended Faith Baptist Temple of Port Neches.
Rose and Sal enjoyed traveling and cruising, where they snorkeled and parasailed in the Caribbean. Traveling with her grandsons was also one of the great joys of her life. At home, she enjoyed art lessons and painting.
Rose loved to give back to those less fortunate in the community, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, the Beautification Committee of Port Arthur and the local police citizens group.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers at April’s House of Angels, who laughed with her and loved her like family the last few years of her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Rose Grado to the Alzheimer’s Association (800-272-3900) or to Faith Baptist Temple of Port Neches.
Plans for a memorial service are pending.