Carla Joyce Rose

Carla Joyce Rose, a devoted servant of God, loving wife and caring mother was called home to her Savior on December 19, 2023.

Carla’s remarkable journey began on January 30, 1947 as a premature baby, a miracle attributed to the prayers of her mother, June, and divine promises. From her earliest moments, her heart was attuned to the rhythm of faith and an unshakeable love of Jesus.

Her single years were filled with rich experiences that prepared her for her calling as a missionary. She learned administrative skills during her work with NASA and as a paralegal for a law firm. She had a joyful soul which frequently gave way to songs of praise, honed by her years with the National Christian Choir and soloist at countless weddings. Her vocal talent was on full display on the many albums of praise music she sang and produced in both English and Spanish. But it was her relationships while working at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. that ignited her passion for more fully serving the Lord. With a gift from a grateful and generous young pastor, Dr. David Stoker, Carla made her first trip to the Holy Land and it changed her life. Carla’s second trip to the Holy Land cemented her commitment to missionary work.

Shortly after these trips, God answered her heartfelt prayer for a mate. At Minnesota’s Camp Dominion, Robert Rose caught her eye and captured her heart. Their shared vision for missionary work was immediate and powerful. Their union, celebrated with the Song of Solomon as their wedding theme, was more than a simple marital vow – it was a joint commitment to God’s work. The couple’s journey to Guatemala was swift and purposeful. There, Carla’s nurturing spirit found its true calling co-founding with her husband, Robert, Songs of Joy Children’s Home where her love for singing filled the halls with warmth and joy.

Robert and Carla were determined to ensure Songs of Joy would create not only a stable, loving Christian home providing medical care and education, it would also equip each child with practical job skills to enable a successful transition to independence. The synergistic partnership of Carla’s ideas and Robert’s execution brought their vision to life. Their commitment was the impetus for raising their own food and maintaining their property. They produced their own food, farming vegetables, goats, Tilapia, chickens, and more. The children developed their job skills in the mechanic shop, the bakery and café, offering those services to the community.

Robert and Carla’s love extended beyond their work, ensuring they never let a day end in anger, despite the challenges they faced. As “Papi” and “Mami”, they led the orphanage from a place of need to a home of healing and love -- and Carla sang God’s praises, filling their home with Songs of Joy.

Above all, Carla’s life echoed the faithfulness of God. Her life was a melody of praise, a reflection of her unshakeable belief in His constant presence.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and June Aiken and her sister, Susan. She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert, and her children: David, John Robert (Karla), Patty Bocel, Joshua, Jonathan (Maria), Kristina, Marisol (Cristobal), Maciel, Dr. Vinicio (Christina), Vinessa (Edwin), Terry and Patty; and her siblings: Bonnie (Kevin), Barbara (Doug), Lois (Frederick), Richard (Kathy), Carl (Suellen); 37 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

As we remember Carla, we celebrate a life beautifully lived, a heart generously given, and a faith profoundly held. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the family she nurtured, and the countless hearts she inspired.

Celebration of Life will be held on January 12, 2023 at Neills Creek Baptist Church, 4200 Neills Creek Road, Angier, NC. Visitation is at 1:00 p.m. and the Service is at 2:00 p.m. followed by a luncheon immediately following the Service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Songs of Joy Ministries in honor of Carla Rose, P. O. Box 1264, Lillington, NC 27546.

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