Rose Ann Castleberry Muse, age 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 30, 2023. She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Bruce Arthur Muse as well as two brothers, Desmond Castleberry and George Castleberry and two sisters Vivian Castleberry Knight and Ruth Castleberry Harrell. She is survived by her three daughters: Cynthia Ann Muse Nelson (Ed); Wendy Elizabeth Muse Evans (Ed); Nancy Lynn Muse Fullerton (Bob); seven grandchildren Stacy Gayle Nelson McVay (Matt), Julie Michelle Nelson, Warren Clifford Evans (Cara), Walker Bruce Evans (Kristen), Elizabeth Ann Evans, MD, Caroline Rose Fullerton Williamson (Sam), Steven James Fullerton, and 1 great-granddaughter, Ayli Rose Evans. She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be missed dearly. She was first and foremost a Christian and eagerly shared her faith.
Rose Ann was born on November 11, 1934, in Thomaston, GA to the late Reginald Desmond Castleberry and Mamie Henry Castleberry. Rose Ann graduated from Robert E. Lee Institute in 1953. Thirteen days later, her father drove her to Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta to begin a nursing career. Not being scared of the big city, Rose Ann was excited to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a nurse.
Rose Ann graduated from nursing school in 1956, and moved with some of her lifelong nursing friends to Carrollton, GA to work at Tanner Memorial Hospital. It was with the help of some of these friends that she met Carrollton native, Bruce Muse. After a short engagement, Rose Ann and Bruce married in 1957.
Bruce's job led them back to Atlanta, and the newlyweds moved to what was to become their 40 year home in Chamblee, GA. There Rose Ann worked part-time as a relief nurse in a variety of doctor's offices while raising her three daughters. She was a Girl Scout leader and attended Northwoods Baptist church in Chamblee, GA.
In 1978, Rose Ann began full-time work with Dr. Harrison Reeves, at Atlanta Medical Associates. She loved her role being a nurse and her patients became like family to her. Dr. Reeves' practice specialized in Hematology/Oncology and provided Rose Ann the opportunity in 1979 to achieve her Certification in Oncology Nursing and she also become a Charter Member of the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society.
After her retirement in 1999, Rose Ann and Bruce moved to Jasper, GA to enjoy small town life again. There, they both attended Jasper First Baptist Church. She continued to give her services, being a volunteer at the Good Samaritan clinic, the local thrift store and in the Ladies Auxiliary at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. Anything related to Piedmont Hospital held a special place in her heart since that was where she fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse. She kept in touch with her nursing school classmates and attended several reunions.
Rose Ann and Bruce treasured family gatherings and kept up with extended family by travelling frequently back to Thomaston and Carrollton. Her family kept close with their annual family beach trips, and she loved those times spent with her grandchildren.
Rose Ann never met a stranger and generally wanted to get to know everyone she met. More times than not, after a few minutes talking with someone, she would find something they had in common or someone they both knew.
Two years after her husband's passing in 2011, Rose Ann moved to an assisted living facility in Roswell, GA to be closer to her daughters during her journey with Alzheimer's disease. While living there, she continued to be her caring self to staff and other residents, even giving out back rubs to her caregivers. The wonderful caregivers there cared for Rose as if she were their own mother. Rose Ann's entire family is very grateful for their amazing care.
After a private interment at Lake Forest Memorial Park Cemetery in Jasper, GA, the family will receive friends on Thursday, April 6th, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Northside Chapel. Rose Ann's Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 pm.