Rose Marie Gates Smithey, known as Miss Rose, died Friday, Aug. 12.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Aransas. Pass.

Miss Rose was best known as the owner of Shorty’s, the oldest watering hole in Port Aransas.

She inherited the bar – she said it was “literally dumped in my lap” – after the brutal murder of her mother, Shorty Fowler in 1977. Her killer is still serving a life sentence.

Miss Rose took on Shorty’s in addition to the Rod and Gun Club (now The Flats Lounge) next door. She said her stepfather built the Rod and Gun Club “just to keep me in town.”

The double load eventually became too much, and Miss Rose closed the Rod and Gun Club.

In the past several years, Shorty’s has been operated by Miss Rose’s daughter, Joy George and now her grandson, J.W. George, keeping it in the family, a tradition since 1946. The exact opening date isn’t known because the original papers blew away in a storm. But that’s been no excuse to cancel a party. The anniversary of the business has been celebrated on the Saturday nearest to Shorty’s birthday, which was April 9.

Miss Rose was born on Oct. 20, 1926, to C.H. and Gladys Sublette in Portales, N.M. She moved to Port Aransas in 1949. In addition to being in business in Port Aransas for 60 years, she was a member of the Moose Lodge in Aransas Pass.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter, Janice Underwood. She is survived by her son, Jimmie W. (Tessa) Gates of Port Aransas; daughter, Joy Gates George of Port Aransas; eight grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy may be made by donations to the ARK (Animal Rehabiliation Keep) in care of The University of Texas, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, or to the charity of your choice.