The Legacy


Joe Charles Rose, Jr. was born October 5, 1946, to Joe Charles Rose and Ella Louise Morris Rose on Rose Street in Jackson, Mississippi. At an early age, his grandmother, Laura Morris, Joe's grandmother moved the family to Nebraska after his parents divorced. He attended school in Lincoln and Omaha graduating from Omaha Tech in 1964. He was baptized at an early age and was a member of Salem Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend J. C. Wade, Sr. in Omaha.

Later relocating to Chicago, Illinois to be with his father. He served in the US Army and later attended Southern Illinois University and Florida Theological Seminary and Bible College. Joe held various jobs during his years of employment which included Purchasing Agent, Business Manager, Director of Finance, Independent Insurance Agent, Pastor, and was honored to have worked as a Youth Counselor at a nonprofit agency.

While serving in a professional capacity in Polk County he met Jacqueline White on a plane going back to his home in Chicago. She was attending a meeting in Chicago leaving Tampa. He sat in the seat across the aisle. An avid conversationalist on the flight, he inquired what church she was a member of and she told him she attended First Baptist Institutional Church (FBIC) in Lakeland. Upon his next return business trip to Polk County, he surprised her with attendance at church service. From this chance meeting on the plane, he later married Jacqueline a year and a half later. From this union of 44 years, they had three children, Joenique, Jonathan and Jannella.

His favorite past time was reading and talking on the phone. In the mornings, he read the Lakeland Ledger then the Omaha Herald so he could keep up with both his worlds. He loved to go fishing when time permitted.

After moving to Lakeland, Joe became a member of First Baptist Institutional Church where he was licensed and ordained by Reverend Paul Henry Jackson on September 15, 1988. He served as the Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Plant City, FL; Fifth Sunday supply minister for Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Lake Alfred under Reverend George Williams; later serving as Interim Pastor of First Baptist Institutional Church and later serving as Advisor to Ministries under our present pastor Reverend Dr. Alex Harper, Sr.

Before his stroke, he always availed himself to serving where he could, especially transporting FBIC's youth to various activities. He truly loved people and the First Baptist Institutional Family. His car would almost always be the last to leave the parking lot because he had to greet everyone before departing on Sundays.

After coming from the mid-west, he could never get enough southern cuisine, especially meals prepared by his mother-in-law, Annie White. For several years after his nursing home confinement, he still had an appetite for southern cooking and his forever friend/little sister, Paulette Burnett came to the rescue. Each Sunday afternoon, he looked forward to their conversations and meals prepared and delivered by Paulette and his goddaughters. He cherished their weekly visits until Covid-19 stopped visiting privileges and he lost his desire to eat and swallow.

During his active years, he involved himself in the community. At one time, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge, NAACP and served at the Florida Theological Seminary.

His children are his legacy, daughters Joenique C. Rose (Los Angeles, CA) and Jannella C. Rose (Tallahassee, FL) and son Jonathan C. Rose (Lakeland, FL). Hopefully they will carry on the best of his legacy of love of Jesus Christ, friendliness, and compassion for others and the knowledge that it is during our darkest moments that we must focus on the light and always let God order their steps.

Preceding him in death were his parents Joe C. Rose and Ella Louise Morris Rose Hill along with sisters Antionette Hill and Laura Rose Brown and brothers Anthony Hill, James Hill, and special cousin/brother Robert Cole, father-in-law, Eddie White, sister-in laws Gladys White and Cathy Worthen.

He leaves to mourn his mother in-law, Annie White (Lakeland, FL), brother John Hill, Jr. (Omaha, Nebraska) and sister Annette (Rev. Cornelius) Hill Hillard (Opelousas, LA); his brothers-in-law, Robert Brown (Bennington, NE), Kenneth White (Orlando, FL), Eddie White, Jr. (Lakeland, FL), Minister Eric White (Lakeland, FL), Alphonso Worthen, (Lakeland, FL), Ricky (Bertha) Gordon (Lakeland, FL); stepbrother Donald Johnson (Chicago, IL) and sister-in law, Wanda White (Lakeland, FL).

Aunts: Naval "Pinkie" Palmer (Indianapolis, IN), Alma Dickens (Newark, NJ), Augusta Grace, Earlene (Terry) Coney, Audrey (Danny) Jarrett (Mulberry), and Terether White (Lakeland, FL). Uncles: Hayes Dickens (Miami, FL), Adolphus Dickens (Salisbury, PA) Frank Dickens (Greenwood, FL), Gregory Dickens (Greenwood, FL), Richard Dickens (Marianna, FL), Jesse (Estelle) Bowers (Lakeland, FL), Herman Bowers (Ft. Pierce, FL), Aubrey Bowers (Lakeland, FL) Special cousin/sister, Brenda Smith (Atlanta, GA) and childhood best friend Ralph McMorris (San Diego, CA). He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and relatives whom he loved dearly.

Rev. Rose of Lakeland transition on Friday, October 6, 2023. A visitation will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow. All services will be held on the campus of First Baptist Institutional Church - 932 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33805.

Interment: Oak Hill Burial Park