A truly beautiful woman has left this earthly life one month shy of her 90th birthday. Rose Mary Isaac El-Khouri was a woman of great strength of character and in faith, putting others always before herself.
She took such pride in raising and loving her children, and showering her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her boundless affection.
She is now in the peaceful arms of our heavenly Father, and resting eternally with the loved ones who have gone before her, especially her soulmate Joseph, husband of 62 years.
Born to immigrant parents Moura Lawandos Isaac and Tanios “Thomas” Isaac, from Kour Batroun, Lebanon, Rose was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in January of 1927, graduated from G.A.R. High School, and helped to raise her sister Sara’s young children.
In 1950, Rose married the love of her life, Joseph Maroun El-Khouri, who had recently arrived from Lebanon. They made their first home together in Minneapolis, Minn., along with her mother, Moura, where Rose helped Joe run the family grocery store.
In 1955, with three children in tow, Rose and Joe moved to the quiet Andrews Valley. There they made their true lifelong home with the seven children of whom they were so very proud.
Rose and Joe became respected and loved by this quaint community. They grew to love this mountain town for its natural beauty and the warmth of its people.
Over many years, Rose took pride in entertaining family, friends, relatives, Glenmary Priests and Nuns, etc. She seemed to have tireless energy to accomplish all that life required of her. The El-Khouri home and particularly Rose’s kitchen was never without delightful aromas and the joyful sound of friends and fellowship, a reflection of her beloved Lebanese culture.
She had a conviction to her Maronite and Roman Catholic faith that was the greatest source of her inner beauty and strength.
She is survived by her devoted family: her five daughters, Theresa El-Khouri Martin (Phil) of Yadkinville, Mariam El-Khouri Gerber (Dan, deceased) of Chapel Hill, NC, Marsha El-Khouri Shiver (Claude) of Hillsborough, Barbara El-Khouri of Andrews and Catherine El-Khouri of Charlotte; two sons, George El-Khouri of Salisbury and Anthony El-Khouri (Rita) of Andrews; her 14 grandchildren, Maron El-Khouri (Amy), Nora El-Khouri Spencer (Brian), Nicholas Martin (Amanda), Corey Martin, Nicole, Eric and Chad Gerber, Michael and Thomas Shiver, and Nicholas, Joseph, Caroline, Jarrod and Kristina El-Khouri; and nine great-grandchildren, Emma and Madelyn El-Khouri, Travis, Cameron (Erin), and Davis Spencer, Olive, Ezra and Quinley Martin, and Alexis El-Khouri.
We will sorely miss our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, by whose love and life we were enduringly blessed.
May God rest her precious soul.
A funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Interment was in Valleytown Cemetery.
The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Rose El-Khouri to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church Charities, 214 Aquone Road, Andrews, NC 28901 or Andrews Food Bank, P.O. Box 843, Andrews, NC 28901.
Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.