Rose Anne Pepper

Rose Anne Pepper, 88, of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2025, at Morningside Center. She was under the care of family, Morningside staff and Shirkey Hospice of Carrollton.

Born on July 15, 1936, in Hominy, Oklahoma, Rose was the daughter of Troy Alfred Shedd and Jane (Blackford) Shedd. She grew up in Maryville, Missouri, until her family moved to Chillicothe the summer before her senior year. After graduating from Chillicothe High School in 1954, she met the love of her life, Darrell Dean Pepper. They married on December 22, 1956, and enjoyed 61 years of marriage before he preceded her in death in 2018. Rose embraced farm life and did not shy away from driving grain trucks or tractors. She kept her farmers well fed, delivering to the fields full-service meals and mid-afternoon snacks.

Rose was active in her community and church, always among the first to volunteer or lend a helping hand. She attended Mount Olive Methodist Church, where she was a member of United Methodist Women and served as a Sunday and Bible school teacher. Rose and her family later joined United Methodist Church of Chillicothe. She was a member of Susanna Circle, participated in Culture Club and was a 50-year member of Chapter 113 of Eastern Star. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, doing crewel embroidery work and quilting.

Rose’s greatest love was caring for family and friends. She expressed warmth and love through her delicious cooking, which she shared with family, friends, and strangers alike. There was always room for one more at Rose’s table. She was a devoted wife, beloved mother and grandmother and cherished friend. Rose will be remembered for her nurturing spirit, generous heart, and joyful laugh.

Rose is survived by her children: daughter Debbie (Dave) Koehly of Columbia, Missouri; son Dale (Sherie) Pepper of Newnan, Georgia; son Gary (Candy) Pepper of Chillicothe, Missouri; and son Mike (Lynn) Mason of Hammond, Indiana; grandchildren: Michelle Koehly, Krissy (Troy) Hutinger, Ellie (Kyle) Geolat, Andrew (Shanna) Pepper, Kaitlin Pepper, Abby Pepper, Sarah Pepper, Charlie (Melissa) Pepper, Aaron (April) Mason, and Clinton (Leslie) Mason; and great-grandchildren: Sophie, Livie and Crew Hutinger; Brooks and Presley Pepper; Mya and Maddox Bevelle; Scarlett and Stella Pepper, Remy and Paxton Keith; Tyler and Alex Mason; and two sisters-in-law Shirley (Bob) Pepper Davis and Kathy (Ron) Pepper Mullennix; and several special cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Heritage Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Heritage Funeral Home.

Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Chillicothe, Missouri.

Memorials in honor of Rose Pepper may be made to Chillicothe Festival of Lights or the Young Eagles Scholarship of the EAA Chapter 944-Air Adventure Camp and left at or mailed to Heritage Funeral Home, 3141 Washington Street, Chillicothe, Missouri, 64601.