Obituary of Velva Marie Sharpes Rowan

Velva Marie Sharpes Rowan was born May 4, 1935; died,May 15, 2021.  She was 86 years old. Mrs Rowan was born in High Point, North Carolina to the late Lowell Sharpes Sr. and Lucille Kinzie Sharpes.  Shortly after her birth the family returned to the Sharpes hometown of Harrisonburg, Virginia.  In Harrisonburg, Velva attended Pleasant Hill Elementary and later graduated  from Dayton High School.   Velva was the 5th born of six children.  She was pre-deceased by her brothers Lowell Sharpes Jr. and Donald Sharpes.  She is survived by her sister Helen Sharpes Radcliffe, her older brother Wayne Sharpes and younger brother Raymond Sharpes.  Velva followed her older brother Wayne Sharpes’ example and attended college at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN.  While at Trevecca, Velva was introduced to a friend of her older brother, also a ministerial student, the late Thomas Earl Rowan. Velva and Earl wed in 1955. In the Summer of 1955, Earl and Velva moved to Kansas City, MO where Earl attended the Nazarene Theological Seminary.  In 1957 their son,Stuart Earl Rowan, was born.  In 1958, their daughter, Rebecca Marie Rowan Waynick, was born while Earl and Velva were in their first pastoral assignment in Zephyrhills, Florida. Over their 35 years of active ministerial service, the“Rowans” served congregations in Zephyrhills, FL;Gainesville, FL; Arcadia, Florida; WinterHaven, FL; Warner Robins, GA and Jackson, MS. When a stroke rendered Earl disabled, they moved to Melbourne, FL to be near family.  Velva continued her ministry work, hardly missing a beat.  She transitioned from “Pastor’s wife” to “Pastor’s mom”.  Her passion to share God’s love to as many people as possible continued.  Her methodology included volunteering in various ministries including Christian scouting (Caravan Director),children’s music programs, Sunday school and childrens church, ladies ministy, Bible study, MISSIONARY BOOKS reading secretary, prayer group organizer, church office coordinator,church volunteer coordinator,church dinner coordinator, senior ministry facilitator,and Crisis Care Kit coordinator...just to name a few.  An impressive list by any standard, but made even more amazing by the fact that she was diagnosed with MS in her mid 50’s and spent the last 35 years working from a wheelchair. A close family friend assisted her in acquiring a fully equipped, handicapped van that allowed her and Earl a  measure of independence, inspite of what many considered overwhelming physical challenges. She was active in the local MS society and attended exercise classes twice a week. Her vibrant spirit was an inspiration to many. As impressive as her accomplishments were,  her real strength centered in who she WAS!  She was a wife who loved and supported her husband for 58 years. She was a mother to Stuart (Teri) Rowan and Rebecca (David) Waynick, who she loved unconditionally.  She was a Grandmother that loved and prayed for her grandchildren relentlessly. Grandchildren includeTaylor (Jamie) Rowan, Toni (Calvin) Rutgerson,  GLWaynick, Morgan (Daniel) Fonseca and David (Heather) Minnick. She was the proud GreatGrandmother to Braylon Helm-Renz, JayceRowan, Zoey Minnick, Samson Rutgerson, Jayde Rowan, Canaan Rutgerson, Lucas Fonseca and Oliver Fonseca.

In lieu of flowers, Velvas memory can be honored by making a contribution to Christian Life Church (Re: Teen/Children’s Scholarship Fund), 343Nail St. Palm Bay, Florida 32907

Services for Velva Sharpes Rowan will be held at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care in Palm Bay, FL.Service is scheduled for Monday, June 21st at 11:00am.The Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care is located in PALM BAY, Florida at  950 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907