Rosie Mae "Rose" (McCull) Kaiser

On August 7, 2023, our mother, Rose Kaiser, moved on to her spiritual home after 88 years on this earth. She was born Rosie Mae McCall at home in Jefferson County to her parents, Walter Kirby McCall and Lela Jacks McCall, on April 24, 1935.  Rose  lived an active, full life.  

From drug store clerk in Leavenworth, Kansas, to insurance saleswoman in Little Rock and finally to psychotherapist in private practice with husband, Merle Kaiser, Ph.D. in Pine Bluff. 

After a divorce in 1977, she moved with her best friend to Houston, Texas. While working as a leasing agent in Houston, Texas, Rose attended Rice University. She returned to Arkansas to help care for her Aunt Nettie (née McCall) who died in 1985 at the age of 97. Soon after she married Merle Kaiser, Ph. D., and formed a private practice under the name of Transpersonal Psychology Institute in Pine Bluff.  Rose loved her work as a psychotherapist and prior to retirement in 1998, she completed a book about her life and lessons learned, The Power of Forgiveness.  

Her ambition also included memberships in professional, religious, and community organizations, for which she would soon serve as president or high office. While president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Youth Detention Center in Alexander, Rose was proud of the organization’s construction of a Chapel for youth worship.   

Other organizations included Easter Star, Bendemeer Grotto, Business &. Professional Women’s Association, Little Rock Women’s Club, Mad Hatter’s Club, and Southeast Arkansas Fine Arts Board.  

She was a member of First United Methodist Churches while living in Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Sheridan.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers,  Douglas Carrol Haisty and Merlin Palmer, and husbands R C Penney and Merle Kaiser.

Survivors include daughter, Clara Rose Penney, sons Jeffrey C Penney (Susan), Ron C Penney (Janice) and stepson Clifford Wong (Melissa); her sister Glenda Palmer Hughes; 4 grandchildren, Bryan Penney, Cameron Penney, Courtney Penney Culwell, and Aaron D. Kinney; and 9 great grandchildren.    

A family led celebration of life will be held on September 9th, 2023, at 2 pm at the Maumelle First United Methodist Church, 1201 Edgewood Dr., Maumelle, 72113. Pastor Bruce Bennett and Davis Hendricks will provide shared memories and music of inspiration.

The family would like to thank Smith Funeral Home, Gentiva Hospice Care and The Lakes in Maumelle for the excellent and compassionate care of our mother.