Minister Richard A. Rose, Sr. - 76

10/14/1946 - 12/25/2022

Obituary For Minister Richard A. Rose, Sr. - 76

If I should go before you, I’ll still be there with you, as every golden memory Gives comfort, to see you through.

If I should go before you, you’ll always have my love, and we’ll be together again, all of us, in heaven above.

Minister Richard A. Rose, Sr. passed from labor to reward on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at 5:45 PM.

Let our thoughts and prayers be with his wife Sis. Everly Rose, and his sons Richard Rose, Jr and David Rose as well as the extended Rose family.

Observing a shepherd’s life, celebrating a servant’s ascent Know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and willing mind (I Chron. 28:9)

Richard Alonza Rose, Sr. was the eighth child born to Alonza and Georgie Mae Rose in Atlanta, GA, on October 14, 1946. Although he would be one among a dozen Roses, he would distinctly be his father’s child in name, likeness and image choosing early in life to walk in his steps and assume his mantle of ministry. This began with a trifold preparation through inheritance of mission, God’s gifting and personal study.

Richard’s early education began in typical secular fashion attending public schools in Detroit, MI, where the family migrated in his tender years. However, at age thirteen his calling would be firmly established through training at the Nashville Christian Institute (NCI) under the influential leadership of noted evangelist Marshall Keeble. Upon graduation from NCI his religious studies continued at Alabama Christian College (now Faulkner University), the Central Ohio School for Preachers and Teachers and the Cincinnati Christian University.

A visit to see his brother, Jimmy, a student at Southwestern Christian College would prove to be consequential in that he met his future wife, Everly Jean Neal there and after persistent pursuit, married her on April 8, 1972. To this union was born two sons, Richard Alonza, Jr. and David Hollan. After marriage their family settled in Ohio, the state in which the bulk of Richard’s ministerial service would be sown. Several churches there would produce the fruit of his labor and know the blessing of his leadership over the years: Beecher Street Church of Christ (Cincinnati); Watkins Road Church of Christ (Columbus); Cleveland Avenue Church of Christ (Columbus) and the Gray Road Church of Christ (Cincinnati) where he would labor for thirty-four years before retiring. In addition to his work in Ohio, the Westside Church of Christ in Detroit, Michigan also welcomed his fellowship and gleaned from his service. Regularly invited to preach and teach at gospel meetings, lectureships, seminars and workshops throughout the Christian brotherhood, Richard counted it among the blessings that resulted from a life dedicated to an early call that God favored to be heard for a lifetime. Upon his retirement, he and his wife, Everly Jean and son, David moved to Valdosta, Georgia, the home of his family roots where he supported the work of the Eastside Church of Christ and the leadership of Arthur Ponder and Titus Seays.

Even as preaching was the center and ultimate love of Richard’s life, he also had a heart for music, in particular, quartet singing and sang for several years in a group, the Sons of Praise, that traveled and was well received by many throughout the country. In addition, Richard was a devotee of sports, family and friendships. For many years his friends in the ministry, Clyde Sales, Roosevelt Chapman, who predeceased him, and Elijah Anthony formed a bond that age, distance or challenging health could not break. They, along with an unlimited number whose lives were touched by his sacrificial donation will experience the dichotomy of mourning his loss while celebrating his victory.

A cloud of family witnesses who preceded him in rest stand in anticipation of the promised reunion; among them will be his mother and father, Georgie Mae and Alonza Z. Rose; brothers Jimmy Rose, Gene Rose and sisters Linda Rose, Ethel McIver, Bonnie Golden and Emily Winston.

Those who remain to lament his transition is his devoted and faithful wife of fifty (50) years, Everly Jean, two sons: Richard Jr. (Kerrence) of Cincinnati, OH, and David of Valdosta, GA.; one granddaughter: A’Aliyah Rose of Cincinnati, Ohio; six step grandchildren: Terrence Spratley II, Mia Spratley, Joseph Spratley, Kathy Cherry, Damien Cherry, II and Rodrick Rose, all of Cincinnati, OH; two brothers: Floyd (Estell) Rose of Valdosta, GA and Marshall (Maxine) Rose of Toledo, OH; three sisters: Dorothy Duiguid of Detroit, MI, Helen Curtis of Ft. Worth, TX and Sylvia Rose also of Detroit, MI. Eleven brothers and sisters-in-law; dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews join a host of cousins from various states throughout the country who in sadness will reflect upon the joyous fellowship they had with their uncle, cousin and friend. He was especially cherished and will be missed by Terri Bolds-Hill and Jerilyn Wilson Fuller who affectionately called him, “Dad”.

Life Celebration Services will be held on Wednesday, January 04, 2023, at 1:00 PM from the sanctuary of Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ - 1515 Brack Obama Blvd., Valdosta, Ga.

Minister Richard A. Rose, Sr., will be laid to rest in the Riverview Memorial Garden - 3945 North Valdosta Rd, Valdosta, GA.

Services will also be live streamed by clicking the link below or copy and paste the link in your web browser at funeral scheduled time. Note, anyone wishing to view services must have an active Facebook account in order for the link navigate you to the Harrington Live Stream Facebook page. When you are on the page, scroll down until you notice services you desire to view. (Click those services and you will be allowed on that site)

https://www.facebook.com/harringtonfuneralhomeinc

The family has chosen the Final Care Professionals at Harrington Funeral Home Inc., to walk with them during this their hour of need.

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