Rose Ann Lyles Gaeden
Rose Ann is survived by her son, James Volker of Santa Barbara, California, grandchildren; Calista Volker, Desmond Volker, and Elsa Volker of California. Her brother-in-law, Pleun and sister Linda Lyles Nouwen of Douglass, Texas. Sister-in-laws, Deanna Lyles of Alto, Texas and Jan Gaeden of San Mateo California. Nieces; April Lyles Maddox of Rusk, Texas, Mary Ann Harris of Texarkana, Texas and Joey Lyles, nephew of Rusk, Texas. Paternal Aunt, Chloe Evelyn Jimmerson, of Gilbertown, Alabama. Rose Ann left behind many cousins including Joy Barr Rummage of Warner Robins Georgia and Sue Barr Clark of Forkland, Alabama.
Rose Ann’s husband, Fred Gaeden was the love of her life. Fred joined Rose Ann on July 27th, 2026. They did everything together and were not long separated by death.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Francis Marcel and Velma Faye Lyles, and her brother, Joseph Francis Lyles.
Rose Ann was born in Butler, Alabama. She needed little to no encouragement to elevate from a life of poverty and hardships. She pushed through obstacles in her way. She left home at 14 years old and with the help of friends in the small community of Linden, Alabama she got a job at the Littles drug store and lived in a room upstairs while she finished high school.
Roseann graduated from Judson College in Marion, Alabama. She had made up her mind; she was going to be a nurse. Roseann graduated nursing school at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and worked serving others as a RN and ultimately practicing community nursing and county health nursing. She retired from Santa Barbara County.
Roseann was a naval nurse and spent 2 years serving in Japan. She was a world traveler and adventurer. She loved hiking, shopping with friends and being with her grandchildren.
Rose Ann was a woman of great faith, bravery and love. She will be felt by all of us in spirit when we do the hard thing-the right thing and when the spirit of adventure calls. In her honor may we feel the strength of Rose Ann and do it anyway.
Rose Ann gave selflessly to those she loved and expressed her love unconditionally. She will be missed but never forgotten.
