Albert Hughes "Junior" Roseberry, Jr.

Albert Hughes “Junior” Roseberry, Jr. of Manassas, 88, died August 22, 2014 following a brief illness. The fifth child of Albert H. Roseberry and Catherine K. Roseberry, Junior Roseberry was born June 19, 1926 in Manassas at the historic Liberia house, then a part of the Robert Portner Annaburg estate. His father served as the estate’s farm manager, and Junior enjoyed telling stories of growing-up on the grand farm that the Roseberry’s called “the Portner Place.” He was a lifelong resident of Manassas, and is preceded in death by his siblings Bert M. Roseberry, John Y. Roseberry, Sr., Edward K. Roseberry, Sr. and Mary R. Compton of Manassas, and Mildred R. Taylor of Cranston, RI. A 1944 graduate of Osbourn High School, Mr. Roseberry was the recipient of the school’s Lipscomb Award for outstanding scholar and athlete. He was State Treasurer of the Future Farmers of America, a member of the varsity Football, Basketball and Baseball teams, and later played with the local “Manassas Macs” baseball team. In 1943, at the initiative of his older brother Kite Roseberry, the Roseberry family moved from the Portner place to Signal Hill Farm, purchased from the Arrington family. The Roseberry family continued to farm at Signal Hill through the 1990’s. The family farm was sold by Junior Roseberry and his sister-in-law Mary G. Roseberry in 1997, and the land is currently known as “Roseberry,” a housing development. Mr. Roseberry was a veteran of the Korean War where he served as a radio operator. Upon return from Korea, he worked a short while with his older brother John, learning the electrical and plumbing trades. In 1953 he married Virginia Gouldin of Richmond, Virginia, and shortly thereafter founded his own plumbing and electrical contracting business which operated for over 40 years, serving many long-time Manassas residents and businesses. John N. Golladay of Manassas Park was an indispensable part of the operation until the business closed its doors. An active member of Manassas Baptist Church for over 77 years, Mr. Roseberry served in many capacities including Sunday School Teacher, Building and Grounds and Personnel Committee members, Centennial Committee member, Pipe Organ Committee member, Deacon and Trustee. He also served on two pastor search committees and two building committees, acting as chair of construction for the main church building in 1965 and in a similar capacity for the Chapel of the Good Shepherd in 1985. He undoubtedly achieved more satisfaction from these two building endeavors than any other, and considered his faith and service to the church a central part of his life. For almost 60 years, Mr. Roseberry served as a member of the Veterans Farm Club, sponsors of the Prince William County Fair, and was for over 30 years its president, presiding over the expansion of the Fairgrounds and County Fair to become the largest agricultural fair in the state of Virginia. He had attended the fair as usual the week preceding his death. In the last 20 years, Mr. Roseberry spoke often of how much joy and happiness his wife Bettie brought him. They enjoyed frequent trips to the family farm in Augusta County, Virginia, where he constructed a second home for their retirement. Even with moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s, Mr. Roseberry took great satisfaction in maintaining the many buildings, fields, and fences associated with owning a working cattle farm. He is survived by his wife, Bettie Compton Roseberry, his three sons Bert A. Roseberry of Manassas, VA, W. Neal Roseberry of Great Falls, VA, A. Tedd Roseberry of Christchurch, Virginia; a daughter-in-law. Elana M. Roseberry of Christchurch, VA; a stepdaughter Alison M. Caruso; his first wife, Virginia G. Roseberry of Richmond, VA; three nephews, Tom W. Muddiman of Manassas, John Y. Roseberry, Jr. of Nokesville, Edward K. Roseberry, Jr. of Manassas, three nieces, Catherine G. Roseberry, Linda T. Bustamante and Jean R. Beech their spouses, and numerous great nieces and great nephews. Arrangements have been made through Pierce Funeral Home in Manassas, VA. The funeral will take place at Manassas Baptist Church, 8800 Sudley Road, Manassas, Friday, August 29, at 11 a.m. with burial following at Cannon Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 28, from 4-7 PM at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, or Manassas Baptist Church.

Albert Hughes "Junior" Roseberry, Jr.

June 19, 1926 - August 22, 2014