Gloria Rowe

Gloria was born on June 20, 1945, to Randall and Louise Bennett in the district Farm in Brown’s Town, St, Ann, Jamaica, West Indies. She was the third of six children. She departed this life on February 1, 2024, after a very brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and faith.

Gloria’s true joy in life came from her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She cared deeply for her late husband Wellesley, her daughter Racquel, son-in-law Watniegh, and her grandchildren Matthew and Makayla.

Beyond her dedication to her family, Gloria was most importantly dedicated to God. She was an active member in her church homes in Jamaica and New York where she attended the Open Bible Church, and here at Zion Missionary Baptist where she was a member of the choir. She had an unwavering faith in Jesus and was famously known to share her many testimonies and words of encouragement with just about everyone she met.

Gloria enjoyed her job as a bookkeeper while living in Jamaica, and was dedicated to raising her only child, Racquel. In 1990 in search of a better life she migrated to New York with Racquel. While in New York her career took a new turn as she became a caregiver and eventually a nursing assistant, a role that would eventually be a testament to her innate passion to care for others. She treated her patients and coworkers with extraordinary compassion. Her commitment to the wellbeing of others through her career culminated in her retirement from St. Vincent’s Hospital, in New York City.

In 1997 she got married to Wellesley Rowe and began a new chapter in her life. Gloria loved to cook and bake. She took great pride in cooking Jamaican food and baking her special sweet treats of which carrot cake, banana bread, and the Jamaican Black cake were among her favorites. Gloria was also an excellent seamstress, a talent that she insisted that she inherited from her mother. Sewing was her passion. Many would look on in amazement when they saw her creations which she had only seen in a magazine.

After the passing of her husband, she decided to move to Roswell, Georgia, to be with her daughter and family. She was extremely excited about moving closer to her beloved grandchildren Matthew and Makayla.

Two years after moving to Georgia, Gloria was sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a diagnosis that challenged us as a family, as it was very overwhelming to see our loved one experience the horrible effects of this disease.

Gloria’s departure leaves an immense void in our hearts, a void that can only be filled by the wonderful memories shared. She is no longer suffering and is resting in the sweet arms of Jesus.

Gloria is survived by her beloved daughter Racquel, son-in-law Watniegh, grandchildren Matthew and Makayla, siblings Rudolph (Leroy), Margaret (Brenda), Paulette, Herman (Dion), nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Randall and Louise Bennett, her husband Wellesley Rowe, and sister Barbara Bennett.

Gloria will forever remain in our hearts. May her soul find eternal rest and peace, and may we honor her memory by living each day with the same love and kindness she so selflessly gave to loved ones and strangers.

A visitation to celebrate Gloria's life will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Zion Missionary Church, 888 Zion Circle, Roswell, GA, 30075 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. Let us join together to honor and remember the life of a remarkable woman who touched the hearts of many with her compassion and grace.

May she rest in eternal peace.