Rosella May (Flynn) Prosser

Rosella May Flynn (Prosser), age 88, of Canton, GA passed away on Tuesday June 27, 2023, at 2:00 pm after a long slow journey with Alzheimer’s. 

Rose was born on July 16, 1934, to Stephan Flynn Jr and Ellen Tobin Flynn in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. After Rose completed school (estimated around 1951 or 1952) in the one room schoolhouse she referred to in stories to her children, she and her sisters secured clerical jobs on the Naval base located in St. John’s.  This is where she met and married Frank Prosser in the fall of 1955.

Rose left her family in Newfoundland and moved with her husband to his hometown of Shelbyville, Tennessee. There she began her family having 5 of her 8 children at Bedford County Hospital. It was about that time work in Shelbyville was hard to find/keep thus generating the necessity to relocate in Smyrna, GA where Frank secured work at Lockheed. Rose had 3 additional children at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia completing her family of 8 children. 

Rose was a firm believer in keeping her children busy. She kept them involved with the Smyrna Athletic Association year-round. She made sure all her children played football or cheerleading, basketball and baseball or softball. She was well known throughout Smyrna and became a surrogate or second mom to many of her children’s friends. One in particular, Wendy Wachenheim McLaurin spent so much time with the family she feels like another sister. Family was a huge part of Rose’s life. While she truly loved all her children, it was her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren that lit up her world. Rose had the most fun when around them. She made them laugh and they brought out the fun-loving spirit in her.

Around 1973, after her marriage ended, she began a career outside the home. She started waitressing with the Waffle House for 2-3 years, then she spent about 6 years at Mead Packaging Company in Atlanta working on the production line and later secured employment as a mechanic at Lockheed Georgia in 1984 at the age of 49. She retired from there in 1997. It was also in the mid to late 70’s that Rose became a U.S. Citizen. This was quite a proud day for her. She loved Canada, but also loved and was very proud to become a citizen of the United States of America.

During the last 10 years Rose attended Sutallee Baptist Church in White GA where she was loved and treasured by so many there. 

Rose was predeceased by her parents, her brother George and her two sisters Mary and Agnes. 

Rose is survived by her brother Ray Flynn (Doris); Her children: Franklin Prosser “Nicky” of Douglasville, GA; Gary Prosser (wife Becky) of Austell, GA; Sheree Edmondson (husband Billy) of Canton, GA; Lonny Prosser (Robin Hardy) of Talking Rock, GA; Rosemarie Leopard (husband Danny) of Wellford, SC; Danny Prosser (wife Laura) of Dallas, GA; Yvonne Crist (husband Harry) of Canton, GA and Damien Prosser “Rusty” of Gainesville, GA: Rose had 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. Rose also has many nieces and nephews in Tennessee and Canada that love her dearly.

Rose’s family would like to recognize and thank the following individuals that while not officially family, certainly felt like family in these past few years: Darlene Norton, Jamie Ruffner Priest, Kim & Todd Smallwood of Divine Meadows, the residents of Divine Meadows, and Pam Lowe.

A Memorial Service will be held at Sutallee Baptist Church, 895 Knox Bridge Hwy., White, GA on Sunday, July 23 at 2:30 pm. If you wish to send a plant, please feel free to do so or you may send donations to the Swing Set Fund at Sutallee Baptist Church. (just donate to the general operating fund and type in Rose or Swing Set in the Note section)

Scott Huskins Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements. 678.771.5566 | scotthuskins.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rosella May (Flynn) Prosser, please visit our floral store.