Rosemary Kinder

Rosemary (Stough) Kinder was born November 10th, 1933 in Grand Saline, Texas to Roy Evins Stough and Cora Mae (Copenhaver) Stough. Rosemary passed away Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, nine days away from celebrating her 89th birthday.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 6 to 8 PM at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 N. Robinson Dr., Waco, TX. Services will be held at 10 AM on Friday, November 11, 2022 at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Donaldson officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. 5th St. Waco, TX.

Rosemary graduated from Grand Saline High School in 1951 and then attended business school. She moved to Waco to receive treatment for polio. While there, she met Merritt (Mert) Kinder, who was visiting his friend Roland Maxwell. After numerous dates at the Melrose Theater, Rosemary and Mert got married at the South Waco Church of Christ on June 28th, 1952. They spent 52 years together until his passing in 2004.

Rosemary lived life to the fullest, as her many great friends can attest. She was known as a constant friend to the underdog, always helping those in need. She combined this passion with a tireless work ethic. Rosemary worked most of her life for organizations dedicated to helping those in need, including Goodwill and Baylor University. As her career developed, she was the night manager at a series of hotels, including Old Main Lodge, International Inn, and New Road Inn. Rosemary retired in the mid-2000s.

Rosemary is preceded in death by her husband, Mert Kinder, her father Roy Evins Stough, mother Cora Mae Copenhaver Stough Kilburn, step-father Homer Kilburn, sisters Mae Nell Hollingsworth and Roy Evelyn Stough Schoenfeld, and grandsons J.T. Torres and Lawrence Torres, along with her close friends Glenda and Domingo.

She is survived by her children and their spouses; Christy and Larry Day, Larry Dean Kinder and Tracy Honeycutt, David Kinder, Trisha Kinder, Paul and Nita Kinder, Terri Sue Rushing and Andrew Kindler.

She leaves behind her grandchildren and their spouses; Kevin (Summer) Spiares, Holley (Joshua) Day, Kaden Honeycutt, Rene (Joe) Gonzalez, Jessica Torres, Steven Tindell, Shyanne Kinder, Kerry Dean (Amanda) Harris, Amber Heard (Ricky Salinas), and Michael Heard, along with 25 great-grandchildren.

She is further survived by many special friends, including Gloria and Kevin Tynes, Billy Kevil, Fritz Johnson, Heidi Neatherlin, Chris, Kathy, and their beloved Whataburger breakfast group.