1959 – 2024
Born December 6, 1959, in Mocksville, North Carolina, to William Calvin Ijames and Vertie-Mae Coulter, Marjolene was the last of three siblings. She attended William R. Davie Elementary and graduated from Davie High School (1978). She worked as a dental assistant throughout high school and after graduation, earned a nursing degree from Forsyth Technical College (1985).
Marjolene later married Whaid Guscott Rose and joined him in pastoral ministry in New York City. She quickly adapted to the “Big City,” where both of their children — Arvella Elizabeth and William Nathaniel Simpson (Nathan) — were born.
After returning briefly to North Carolina (1990 – 1994) to lead the Newton Church, Marjolene and her husband answered a call to serve the church in Colorado. For a combined 23 years, they served both the local church and the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day), with ministry to churches around the world. Marjolene’s favorite niche was her children’s church ministry.
Marjolene described her Colorado years as the most fulfilling and meaningful chapter of her life. She practiced hospital and school nursing there, working for eleven years at a charter school within the Adams County School System.
Since returning to North Carolina in 2017, Marjolene devoted herself to caring for her parents, serving the church alongside her husband, and making her house a home to everyone. She did all of this while relishing the sweetness of God’s Word through her passionate involvement with Bible Study Fellowship.
Marjolene was incredibly talented. While most widely known for her angelic voice, she also enjoyed playing the piano. She was a devoted teacher of the Word (particularly to children at church) and an avid gardener. Marjolene loved cooking, crocheting, sewing, cross-stitching, biking, and almost anything that involved nature.
Despite the pain and loss, we celebrate Marjolene’s life of 64+ years. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a sweet spirit that drew everyone to her.
Marjolene’s recent passing ended her fourteen-month battle with breast cancer. She was preceded in death by her oldest brother (Jeffrey), her grandparents (Ivan and Marjorie Ijames), a nephew (Matthew), and her father (Calvin).
Marjolene is survived by her husband of 38 years (Whaid), daughter (Arvella), and son (Nathan), whose wife (Monica) will soon give birth to Marjolene’s first grandchild. She also leaves behind her 89-year-old mother (Vertie Mae), who was precious to her; a brother, Steve (Rachel); parental in-laws (Esban and Mavis Rose); sister-in-law, Oveta (Oral); brother-in-law, Norval; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives.
Marjolene passed from this life peacefully at Novant Medical Center in Huntersville just before sunset on Sunday evening, July 21, surrounded by much outpouring of love and affection and a beautiful rainbow in the sky above the hospital! She was loved and appreciated by so many here at home and around the world, but Jesus loved her most. So He gave her a great big “rainbow smile” as she slipped into His presence where “there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Artios Christian College through the Church of God Seventh Day at P.O. Box 33677, Denver, CO 80233 or to the American Cancer Society.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Unity Presbyterian Church at 8210 Unity Church Road, Denver, NC 28037 on Thursday, August 1 at 2:00 pm (EST). A livestream recording of the service will be provided on the Newton Church of God Seventh Day YouTube Channel.
