OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Oak Ridge native Rose Weaver can be described in many different ways by many different people. Some know her as an activist, humanitarian, poet laureate or historian.

But those close to her can describe her in one word — a friend.

"I love her to death. She's my friend and she always pats me like this when I say she's my friend," Sherry Simpkins, a long-time friend of Weaver, said.

Oct. 4, 2025, is a day Rose Weaver will cherish in her mind for years to come as the day her closest friends and family surprised her with a huge honor.

"I walk in and Ruby Miller says, 'Come on in, Rose! This is your day, this is your hour,'" Weaver said.

Weaver was celebrated with a whole day dedicated to her, as a thank you for all of the work she's done. And it didn't go unnoticed.

"I

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