Rosemary Perdue

Rosemary Perdue, 85, passed away on October 11, 2023, surrounded by family at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, following a three-year battle with ovarian cancer. 

Rosemary was born in Swindon, England on September 2, 1938, to Reginald and Ivy Allen.  As the youngest of three, she was a lively and animated child earning her the nickname “rabbit” from her father.  Despite growing up during World War II, Rosemary recalled a happy childhood, which she attributed to her loving parents.  At eighteen, she met U.S. Airman Johnny Perdue at a local dance, not knowing their first date had been secretly arranged by friends.  They were married at Christ Church in Swindon on June 1, 1957, and soon after, they moved to the United States, settling in Texas where Johnny was raised.  Johnny’s career in the Air Force moved them many places, where together they raised three children—Johnny Paul, Beverly Carole, and Robert Allen—and made lifelong friends. 

Rosemary touched the lives of so many through decades of volunteer work to include preparing meals for shelters, knitting prayer shawls, teaching ESL classes, and accompanying friends to medical appointments.  Rosemary was always willing to lend a hand and usually a plate of sausage rolls and a laugh to go along with it.  She was a selfless caretaker, providing companionship and love to anyone in need.

Rosemary will forever be remembered for her witty sense of humor, kindness, enthusiasm and passion for gardening and cooking.  She was an incredible storyteller, charming audiences wherever she went.  Rosemary loved traveling—especially “home” to England— and was known to collect rocks from each place she visited, even if it meant returning “home” to the U.S. with a suitcase full of stones.  Her greatest love, though, was for her family, especially great-grandchildren Caroline (6), Ivy (4), and Harrison (6mo) who brought her so much joy over the last few years.

Rosemary is survived by her son Johnny Paul Perdue (Melena) of Amarillo, TX, and his children Tyler Perdue (Lisa) and Colby Perdue (Ciara); her daughter, Beverly Perdue-Johnson of Springfield, VA, and her children Ashleigh Koon (Zachary) and Lindsey Johnson; her son Robert Allen Perdue of Spotsylvania, VA, and his children Brandon Perdue, Eric Perdue, and Jason Perdue; seven great-grandchildren; her sister Carole Paulley (Montague); and numerous extended family members and friends who were fortunate enough to share in her journey.

She is predeceased by her husband, Johnny Perdue; her father, Reginald Allen; her mother, Ivy Allen; and her sister, Beryl Allen.

Rosemary was so dearly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.  Rest peacefully, Mom, Nan, GeeGee, Rose, Rosie the Riveter, Nanny Cheep Cheep, Rabbit—you will always be in our hearts!

A service to celebrate Rosemary’s life will be held at Annandale United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 3:00 PM.  All are welcome!  For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed on annandalechurch.com.  Inurnment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery on a later date, being laid to rest next to her husband Johnny.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial donations to the Inova Life with Cancer Program (https://www.lifewithcancer.org/get-involved/ways-to-donate/) or sharing a memory of Rosemary with her family below.

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