Saundra Kay Jennings Rose

Saundra Kay Jennings Rose, 79, of Cleveland, received her heavenly reward on Saturday morning, April 24, 2021.  Her final race was won and her healing completed following a lengthy illness.

Born on July 6, 1941 in Asheville, North Carolina, she was the eldest daughter of the Reverend S.E. and Dorothy Jennings.  She was a graduate of Huntington High School in West Virginia and Northwest Bible College in Minot, North Dakota. 

As the daughter of a minister, Saundra grew up hearing about the love of God and His plan of salvation for anyone who would believe.  At a very young age, her maternal grandmother led her to a personal relationship with the Lord.  From that time forward, she knew she wanted to spend her life in full-time ministry in hopes of leading others to the same saving grace.  Her desire to do so was affirmed when she married her husband, Delbert Rose, and together they served in ministry for nearly forty years.  The Rose Lecture Hall at Lee University was named in their honor.

Saundra actively served alongside her husband as a pastor’s wife in Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina and South Carolina in whatever capacity was needed.  She organized and taught Sunday School classes for children and young married couples, enjoyed participating in the music ministry as both an organist and member of the choir and led ladies’ ministries for numerous years.  She often coordinated and organized fundraising events whose proceeds would go to benefit those closest to her heart:  children’s ministries, missions and those less fortunate. 

In later years, she would serve as State Ladies’ president for the Churches of God in North and South Dakota, Kentucky and North Georgia.  In this capacity, Saundra led numerous ladies’ retreats for hundreds which ministered to other pastor’s wives, retirees and widows.  She served on various committees within the denomination and as a board member for the Smoky Mountain Children's Home (Sevierville, TN) and Peniel Ministries (Pennsylvania).  She was known for her love of decorating and striving for excellence in all she did.  She loved anything that sparkled, shined or glittered.  She was a life-long learner and loved to read.  Saundra often took notes on sermons and in her Bible for any new insight she might gain.  Her greatest desires were to serve the Lord and love her family, for which she faithfully prayed.  She was a loving mother to her children and a faithful companion to her husband, serving as a primary caregiver in his final years until his passing in January of 2011.

Saundra continued to remain active in ministry, even after retirement and as her own health began to decline.  She was a member of the North Cleveland Church of God’s Unity Sunday School class, Peacemakers Senior Adult Fellowship and Harmony Ladies’ Choir.  She also co-founded and organized a group of retired ladies, affectionately known as the Red Rose Sisters, who regularly met for fellowship and encouragement.  In addition, she looked forward to shopping for and packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child each year.

She was preceded in death by her father, the Reverend S. E. Jennings; husband of 46 years, the Reverend Delbert D. Rose; stepfather, the Reverend Marshall E. Roberson; and stepbrother, Dewey Roberson.

Survivors include her mother, Dorothy Jennings Roberson; son, Todd Rose; daughter, Tanya Rose (Welton) Wriston; sister, Miriam (Harold) Woods; grandchildren, Tyler Wriston and Brittany (Pedro) Lopez; great grandchildren, Ayden and Liam Lopez, all of North Carolina; sisters-in-law, Colene (Fred) Mercer, Veva Rose and Jane Rose, all of Cleveland, Peggy Nash of Arkansas and Lavenda Sailors of Georgia; step siblings, Brenda (Dale) Hughes and Karen (Bill) Winters, all of Cleveland, Teresa Roberson of Hixson and Eddie (Kathy) Roberson of Nashville; and several nieces, nephews and close friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at North Cleveland Church of God with Dr. Mark Williams, Dr. Welton Wriston and Dr. Daniel Robinson officiating.  Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens.

Her family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Thursday at the church prior to the service.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Endowment Scholarship Fund at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, 900 Walker Street NE, Cleveland TN 37311.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Rose family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.

Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.