Rose Mary Gilford was born on February 26, 1941 to Edgar and Agnes McNac in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. She was one of thirteen children in the family.

Rose graduated from the Fort Gibson Independent School District. Several years after she graduated, she was united in Holy matrimony to Lon D. Gilford. To this union, seven children were born. She was a homemaker who sacrificed her dream job of becoming a nurse, to dedicate her time to raise her loving children. She was an excellent cook who enjoyed cooking for her children and others. She shared her cooking expertise with her children.

Her hobbies included singing, baking, sewing and quilting [she made a quilt for each of her children to cherish]. At age 50, she obtained her driver's license. This was one of her proudest accomplishments in life.

Rose accepted Christ at an early age and she continued her Christian walk until the Lord called her home. She loved the Lord and she loved going to church; all of her children contributed to bringing her to church and choir rehearsal. She was special to her children, and her children were special to her. Each of them hold special memories of her in their hearts that they will cherish forever. They said that she was wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove and that her faith, her endurance and the example that she set for them to follow will resonate forever. They said that they will never forget the sacrifices and dedication that she contributed to their upbringing and that they will always remember the unconditional love that she manifested towards them. Lastly, they will remember the taste  and the aroma of her food cooking in the kitchen. On her birthday, she said that the desire of her heart is for all of her children to make it to heaven.

On Saturday morning, March 2, 2019, Rose Mary Gilford, in her 78th year of life, "dozed from Earth to Everlasting life" from her home in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Gary Lane Gilford, five brothers and four sisters.

She leaves in God's care to cherish her loving memories; five sons, Clark [Rochelle] Gilford, Muskogee, Tony [Sharee] Gilford, Wagoner, Steven [Della] Gilford, Neosho, Missouri, Allen Gilford, Muskogee and Rufus Gilford, New Mexico; a daughter, Cinda Gilford, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Sarah Brown, Muskogee; two brothers, Edgar [Mozetta] McNac, Jr., Fort Gibson and Tommy Lee McNac, Muskogee; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The Sacred Farewell to Mother Gilford will commence on Saturday morning, March 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM in the most holy sanctuary of The Rayfield Baptist Church, 601 Indianapolis Avenue.  Her Pastor, Reverend Leroy Walker, Sr., will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Four Mile Branch Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

You may visit Mrs. Gilford, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM and on Saturday, beginning at 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM.