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The Pinecone
|
September 2016
• 7 •
Dunlap and Mary Louise Rose – married in 1945, seriously in
love. In their 71-year union, their mutual love, promise of fidelity
and faithfulness never wavered. This is their story.
In 1944, Mary Louise Miller was 17 years old when she met 19
years old Dunlap Rose. She was active in the Colonial Dames
Society and the Daughter of the American Revolution; and
attended Mississippi State College for Women, majoring in
chemistry and bacteriology; lab technologist was her goal. Dunlap
attended Mississippi State U. and was awarded a BS Degree in
Agriculture -– his plans focused solely on large-scale farming.
Mary Louise decided to enroll at Mississippi State U. for a summer
course not available at the College for Women. She was housed
in the Girl’s Dormitory and, serendipitously, met Dunlap when he
came to the dormitory to pick up his date. The girl did not show
up, and Dunlap asked Mary Louise to go out with him instead. She
did, but thought Dunlap was conceited. He was the modern day
equivalent of Big Man on Campus, voted Mr. Mississippi State.
He called her the next day to ask her out again but she turned him
down (not wanting to appear to be “easy” (her word). He didn’t
give up and love bloomed. They married in 1945. Dunlap chose
not to use his pick up truck to take his new bride to New Orleans
for their honeymoon; he borrowed a friend’s 1938 Chevrolet and
they arrived in style at the renowned Roosevelt Hotel. What was
the initial attraction to each other? Dunlap recalls her corn silk
hair that grabbed his attention. Mary Louise was drawn to his
personality.
Dunlap focused on managing farm land owned by another. He
borrowed money to buy farm equipment and managed 3,000 acres
of cotton and soy beans in Tchula, MS. When the weather was
good during the growing season, Dunlap made money; but 75%
of that money went to the land owner; the remaining 25% was
Dunlap’s portion from which his debts and household expenses
were paid. When the weather was bad (too much rain or an early
freeze) crops rotted in the field and Dunlap lost money; but rent
payments to the land owner had to be made nevertheless. They
moved from Tchula to Inverness, MS and Dunlap was hired by a
local land owner to manage his crops. In 1989, Dunlap decided
that he had had enough of Mother Nature’s fickle ways and he
retired; in 1992, he and Mary Louise moved to the Kirby Pines
Retirement Community. They were familiar with amenities
provided at Kirby Pines, since relatives already lived there. Good
food (no more need to cook), no yard to mow, no house keeping
chores – exactly what they wanted. Many friends were made who
bring them pleasure – they have a life of safety, ease, and comfort.
The lodestone of an enduring relationship rests on one’s pledged
troth; it is a spoken, not implied, promise; a commitment that one
can “take to the bank”. For 71 years, Dunlap and Mary Louise have
given each other love, respect, comfort, and joy in the company of
their mate. Bless them.
- Jacqueline Besteman, Resident
Ce l eb r a t i ng t he i r 55 t h An n i ve r s a r y a t K i r by P i ne s
Dunlap and
Mary Louise
Rose
W I T H T H I S R I N G I T H E E W E D
A N D P L E D G E M Y T R O T H
D u n l a p R o s e
Ma r y L o u i s e M i l l e r