Frances Ellen (Lewis) Rouse, of Jacksonville, NC died Sunday January27, at home.

Born on August 19, 1926 in Pitt County, NC, she was the daughter of John Reding Lewis and Gertrude Ellen Yelverton Lewis. Mrs. Rouse was the youngest of 14 children.

She was the wife of Egbert Thomas Rouse, Sr.

Mrs. Rouse graduated from East Carolina Teacher's College (now East Carolina University) in 1947 and did her initial teaching at the North Carolina School for the Blind in Raleigh, NC. She met her future husband there and they were married in 1948, and moved to Bailey, NC in 1949 where Mrs. Rouse taught at Bailey High School. They moved to Jacksonville in 1953 where Mrs. Rouse taught first grade at Thompson Elementary School. She moved to Northwoods Elementary School in 1961 and taught in the same classroom continuously until 1983. Mrs. Rouse was a member of First Christian Church of Jacksonville, NC since1954, served as the President of the Christian Women's Fellowship for several terms, and was a church Deacon and Elder for many years. Mrs. Rouse was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

A devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Granny loved spending time with her family and was a renowned cook and gardener. She tirelessly supported church and community events. Her annual Christmas creations were sought out by church bazaar attendees and extended family members.

Besides her husband of 64, years, she is survived by sisters Mary Finetta Lewis Smith of Whiteville, NC and Etna Louise Lewis of Farmville, NC., her children, Thomas Rouse and his wife Lorraine of Jacksonville NC, Alfred Rouse and his wife Joanne of Burke, VA, and her grandchildren, Tommy Rouse and his wife Julie of Jacksonville, NC, Megan Mahle and her husband Jesse of Crofton, MD, Kerrianne Rouse of Stafford, VA, Amanda Anderson and her husband John of Jacksonville, NC, Jessica Loux of Jacksonville, NC, Jillian Rouse of Burke, VA, Nicholas Hooper of Jacksonville, NC, 9 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held on February 1, 2013 from 6-8PM in Jones Funeral Home, 303 Chaney Avenue, Jacksonville.

Her funeral will be on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10AM in First Christian Church, 900 Gum Branch Road in Jacksonville.

Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery, Farmville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Christian Church, 900 Gum Branch Rd. Jacksonville, N