Vera Rose Rollins

Vera Rose Rollins (Merchant) passed away from this earth on October 7, 2023. She was 92 years old. Her father was Henry Douglas Merchant, her mother was Vera Susanne (Harlow). She was the youngest of three children: her sister, Mildred Thornton (Vogle) and brother Henry Douglas (Buddy) Merchant are pre-deceased. She is also predeceased by her husband, Thomas Paul (2021), and son James David who died in infantcy (1960). Vera Rose is survived by her four children: Thomas Paul jr., (w. Diana); Lawrence Douglas (w. Carla); John Anthony (w. Sheila); and daugher, Susan Carol (Stogoski) (h. John); 12 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Vera Rose was born in Manassas, Va. on March 7, 1931. Her father died when she was 10 years old, and her mother had to work full time at the Dept. of Agriculture to support the family. At an early age it was tasked to her to help maintain the family home. She graduataed from Osbourn High School in Manassas where she lettered in softball and basketball. She worked for a time in Washington, D.C. until, in 1951, she married the love of her life, Thomas Paul Rollins of Bristow, Va. She then became a homemaker, devoting her life to her children and husband in Bristow. She loved to cook, keep house, and devoted many hours to creating beautiful flower beds in the yard. Her gardens included roses, lilacs, marigolds, dafodils,tulips, and zinnias, to name a few. Throughout her life she followed sports. Redskin Sunday was always must see t.v. for the family. She was a great supporter of all the sport (and non-sporting) endeavors of her children. She also loved music and was a member of the All-Saints Catholic church choir where she was a lifelong member of the parish. One of her greatest joys in life was to have her family together and raise their collective voices in song, especially carols at Christmas. Upon their retirement, she and Paul moved to Ashby Ponds Senior living community in Ashburn, Va. Paul's death in 2021 culminated nearly 70 wonderful years of marriage for the two. Though we, her family, are saddened by her loss to us; we rest assured that she is at peace with her Lord Jesus, and has been reunited with those she loved who have gone before.

Vera Rose Rollins

March 7, 1931 - October 7, 2023