Rowena Sessoms Asbury

Rowena Sessoms Asbury, 86, of Roswell, formerly of Tucker, GA joined our Father’s Heavenly choir on February 7, 2012. She was born in Newberry, SC, on August 21, 1925 to Jeremiah Fleet and Nellie (Brown) Sessoms. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Jerry & sister, Kathryn Fowler. She is survived by her daughter, Beth Petty & beloved son-in-law & friend, Claude, of Roswell, grandchildren, Nathan and Claire (the lights of her life), sister-in-law Peggy Sessoms, Sidney Asbury of Woodville & Tucker, GA & a host of precious nieces and nephews. Rowena pursued an extensive musical education, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Shorter College in 1958 and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1960. She furthered her music education through graduate studies (in the German language) at the University of North Carolina. At Shorter, she was a member of the Eunomian Society, the Camarata Club, the Wright-Meredith Club & Phi Sigma Alpha. She served as Music Director for Peachtree Baptist Church and Lithonia First Baptist Church and worked for Bell Aircraft during WWII. She served as long-time Cost Accountant for Scottdale Mills and as Executive Assistant for Georgia Duck Mill & Cordage. Rowena was a 30+ year member of Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur where, among other roles, she taught the Business & Professional Women’s Sunday School class, directed children’s choirs and sang in the Adult choir. She was most recently a resident of St. George Village in Roswell, where she sang with “The Villagers”, was an active participant in a myriad of activities and was blessed with many friends. Her family extends thanks to the staff of St George for their lovingkindness. Heartfelt thanks & love is also given to her faithful and loving caregivers, Barbara, Cecelia, Laura, Tangela, Millicent & Noreen. She loved her family & friends, but above all, Rowena loved her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, studying His Word& singing His praises. As a soprano, her lifelong wish was to sing bass in the Heavenly Choir & we believe that she is doing that now. To know Rowena was to experience one of God’s musical angels. She brought joy to all who knew her. Her presence will be sorely missed, but we rest in the assurance that we will be together again for eternity. Visitation will be from 4 - 7 p.m., Thursday, February 9th, at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Rd., Roswell, GA 30076. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, Feb. 10th, at 11 a.m. at St. George Village, 11350 Woodstock Rd., Roswell, GA, 30075. Rev. (& nephew) Michael Sessoms will officiate. She was placed at rest at Arlington Memorial Park in a private service. In lieu of flowers, please honor her memory with a donation to the Shorter University Music Department, Rome, GA. Roswell Funeral home has been entrusted with the arrangements.