CLEARFIELD – The oldest member of the Clearfield American Legion, Rose M. Smith, is celebrating her 100th birthday. She was born July 19,1924 in Woodland.
Rose graduated from Clearfield Area High School in 1942. After graduation, in 1946, she joined the U.S. Naval Reserves as a member of the U.S. Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES).
She began as a hospital apprentice, training at a naval hospital in Bethesda, Md. She then transferred to the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif., where she completed a two-year career with a final rank as a hospital first class.
Rose returned to Clearfield and married Edward Smith in 1950. She and Edward owned and operated Smith Furniture in downtown Clearfield.
She is the proud mother of six children, Leslie, Diane, David, Michael, Kathy and Pam, and blessed with 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Rose enjoys painting and gardening, and is a well-known local artist with her paintings sold throughout Clearfield County.
She is a long-time member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and the oldest member of the Clearfield American Legion.
Rose resides in Clearfield.
Clearfield County Commissioner Tim Winters and District Office Manager for State Rep. Dallas Kephart, Kristen Natalie, presented a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives sponsored by Kephart to Rose in honor of this momentous occasion.
Birthday greetings and cards for Rose can be mailed to 309 N. Third St., Clearfield, PA 16830.