Olivia Plowden Rose

Olivia Plowden Rose
December 24, 1941 - September 5, 2026

Although raised in the small town of Manning, South Carolina, by no means did Olivia live out a “small” life. Guided by grace, compassion and a love for God, Olivia has struck those around her with her remarkable ability to truly see and appreciate their worth.

Olivia was known for her love of music and musical talent through singing, piano, flute and more. She felt she could sing the song of your soul, and it was healing. Her grandchildren called her living room the “music room”, it was filled with instruments they were welcomed and encouraged to play.

Edith Olivia Plowden Rose was the daughter of Mitchell Lee and Edith Olivia Stukes Plowden. Her father was a farmer and her mother a teacher. They lived in the old Edgar Shaw Plowden homeplace. The farm was part of a land grant to Edward Plowden I in 1732 by the King of England. When she began school the family moved to Manning, SC. Olivia graduated from Manning High School then studied education and participated in the CC Chorus at Columbia College in Columbia, SC, her mother’s alma mater.

Olivia’s greatest joy was her family. In 1962 she married her high school sweetheart, Harold Algenon Rose, Sr. Together they raised three children, Edith “Edi” Olivia Rose, Ellen Lee McFaddin Rose Nespeca and Harold “Hal” Algenon Rose, Jr. Summers were spent on the shores of Lake Marion, SC filled with family and friends fishing, boating, sailing and of course gardening.

South Carolina has always been home. Olivia and Harold started their family in Sardinia, then moved to Marion, Sumter and retired in Murrells Inlet, SC where they could have their toes in the sand and Harold could fish every day.

Olivia is preceded in death by her husband Harold, her parents and her brother Mitchell Lee “Mickey” Plowden II. She is survived by their three children, their spouses and three grandchildren - Edi Rose: Ellen, Matt, Cloy and Olivia Nespeca: Hal, Leslie and Lila Rose. As well as treasured nieces, nephews and dear friends.

We recently found a letter mom wrote in the early ‘90s.  It ended with this and we think it sums her life up very well:
“I have always been blessed with the wonderful knowledge that “I have been well loved” during this journey called life. My hope is that it should precede “I have loved well”. This is my prayer - That I may love mankind as well as my parents loved each other and loved me. This is the key.”

A family graveside service will be held at the Sardinia Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Gable, South Carolina.