Rose Barnes Askew, born on May 13, 1935, on Barrow Road in Capron, Virginia, is a living testament to resilience, faith, and service. The daughter of Lee Barnes and Ella Florence Barrow Barnes, Rose was raised in a hardworking family of nine children in Southampton County, where life was shaped by the rhythms of farming, faith, and family unity.

From an early age, Rose developed a strong work ethic, helping her family cultivate crops such as peanuts, corn, and cotton. Her upbringing instilled in her discipline, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for community. The Barnes family’s connection to Bryant Baptist Church grounded her spiritually, and those early experiences would become the foundation of a lifelong walk with God.

Despite enduring the profound loss of her mother at the age of fifteen, Rose continued forward with courage and determination. She later moved to Norfolk, Virginia, in pursuit of greater opportunities, where she became a devoted mother to her daughters, Rose May and Mildred. Her love for her children was unwavering and central to her life’s purpose.

Rose pursued education and earned her nursing certification, dedicating her professional life to caring for others in hospitals and nursing homes. Beyond healthcare, she demonstrated remarkable versatility as a seamstress and upholsterer, using her gifted hands to serve others in practical ways.

Her spiritual journey stands as one of her greatest legacies. Called to ministry at an early age, Rose became a powerful preacher, teacher, and possibly one of the first female pastors in the Courtland, Virginia area. Over more than six decades in ministry, she has touched lives across the United States and abroad, including three years in Germany alongside her husband, Reverend Joseph Askew.  Minister Roser Mae Garden and Pastor Rose Barnes Askew founded Faith Deliverance Outreach Church. Rose in Courtland, Virginia.

Rose’s academic achievements reflect her commitment to spiritual growth and leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Divinity degree, and later a Doctorate in Divinity. Licensed as an Elder in 1989, she has faithfully shepherded congregations for over thirty years, offering guidance, inspiration, and hope.

A gifted musician, Rose has blessed countless individuals with her voice and instrumental talents, often singing beloved gospel songs such as “I Know I’ve Been Changed” and “Love Lifted Me.” Her music, like her ministry, uplifts the spirit and strengthens faith.

In addition to her roles as pastor, nurse, and mother, Rose opened her home as a foster parent, extending love and care to children in need. Her life’s work reflects a consistent calling: to serve, to nurture, and to uplift.

Today, Rose Barnes Askew is honored not only for what she has done, but for who she is—a woman of unwavering faith, compassion, and purpose. Her life has sown seeds of love, kindness, and spiritual strength across generations and communities. She continues to stand as a beacon of service, echoing her enduring call:

“Here I am, Lord—send me.”

A Woman Who Answered the Call

She was born where the soil met toil,
Where hands learned strength before rest,
In fields of cotton, corn, and peanuts,
Where faith was planted in her chest.

A daughter of earth and endurance,
Of hymns carried on morning air,
She walked to church with quiet purpose,
Knowing God was already there.

Life tested her with early sorrow,
Yet she did not turn away,
For even in the darkest valley,
She heard the Lord gently say—

“Rise, My child, there’s work before you,
There are hearts that need your light.”
And she answered not with hesitation,
But with courage burning bright.

She healed with hands both strong and tender,
She sang with a spirit free,
She preached with power and compassion,
Unlocking what souls could be.

Across the miles—from home to Germany,
Through every place her feet would roam,
She carried faith like a lantern,
And turned every space to home.

A mother, a pastor, a servant,
A vessel both willing and true,
She poured out love without measure,
In all that she said and would do.

And still her voice rises like morning,
Still her heart answers the call—
A woman who gave God her “yes,”
And in doing so, gave Him her all.