Danielle Faith Rose

We are all God's children, but once in a while one is especially gifted. One that God has chosen to do his work with Him. To show courage and compassion in the face of what most people could not bear. To speak up and be heard so that others could be comforted. To let others know that they are not alone. Such a person was Danielle Faith Rose, originally from Jonas Ridge. Ms. Rose passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 27th, surrounded by loved ones at Grace Heights Health and Rehab Center, after a 10 month battle with cancer. Danielle's bright and beautiful spirit touched and changed the lives of many people, and she will be remembered for her courage, her playful, happy spirit, and her desire to educate others about what it means to be transgendered.
Danielle, who was born Daniel Boyd Rose on July 19th, 1951, was the beloved child of Eva Rose Carpenter, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Johnny Ray Rose and Larry Joe Rose, and by a dear Aunt, Mrs. Elsie Clark. For the first fifty years of life, she lived as Daniel. Although she knew from age four that her physical body did not match how she felt on the inside, she lived in fear of telling anyone the truth. Daniel attended Avery County High School and worked for many years at Baxter Travenol in North Cove, N.C. However, after experiencing a serious illness at age 50, she decided that she must live her truth and help others to understand that gender identity is about how our brains are wired and not about how our physical bodies appear. It is beyond most of our imaginations to understand the courage it takes to live your truth when most of the world does not understand or approve. But Danielle would not allow other's treatment of her to define her and she never offered anything but love and understanding in return.
Danielle was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in December of 2016; however, instead of feeling sorry for herself and thinking about how her life would be impacted, she began thinking about all of the other people struggling to make the decision to begin the journey she had started at age 50. From a hospital room at Wake Forest Baptist Center, the night before she was scheduled for surgery to remove a brain tumor, she dictated a post to be published on Facebook and in her local paper. In it, she spoke of the judgment and bullying and cruelty she had experienced and she asked for understanding and acceptance for all people, regardless of gender or orientation. In addition, she asked forgiveness from anyone she might have hurt in her life. Afterwards, even while undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, her mission became to spread the word that we are all God's children and that we are all loved. In February, the Morganton News Herald featured an article on her called "Being Human" and afterwards dozens of people in the community and beyond reached out to her to thank her for her courage and to seek support for their own journeys.
From wearing a tiara and evening gown to a chemotherapy treatment to giving a rose on Valentine's Day to everyone who worked with her at Grace Heights, Danielle brought a sense of fun and generosity to everything she did. She loved to make people laugh and her smile brightened all of our lives. Her selfless humanity and her unconditional acceptance and love of everyone around her was an amazing, inspiring legacy. She leaves this world a kinder, more loving place.
Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Debra Rose and husband, Larry Cole of Morganton; sister-in-law, Audrey Townsend Rose; and a host of cousins and friends who knew and loved her as Daniel and as Danielle. She was especially close to her cousins, Roger and Betty Clark of Jonas Ridge, Jason Clark and girlfriend, Kris Rice, Jennifer Allen and family, Ashley Sanchez, Olivia Sanchez Torres, and Bonnie Burse Buchanan. Last, but most certainly not least, she leaves behind her precious fur babies-- Sassy, Little Bit and Baby, who were her constant companions for many years.
The family would like to thank the following angels-on-earth whose friendship and love made the last year of Danielle's life precious beyond words: her best friend for years Kaitlin Bowman, her dear friends and mischief- makers Connie Nix, Maureen "Mo" Schwind, Gabi McLendon and Kimberley Griffin, Cheryl Lincoln and Don Dawson, Cheryl Simpson, and her sweet CNA angel Rachel Sprinkle who loved her like family from the first time they met.
The family also wishes to thank the doctors and staff of the Levine Cancer Center for their expertise in helping Danielle have the best quality of care available and for their kindness during every treatment. Especially to Dolly Wilson, Nurse Navigator, we say thank you for helping Danielle see her own beauty and worth and for treating her with such expansive love and joy.
To those who cared for Danielle at Grace Heights, please know that her placement with you was certainly God ordained. The excellent care, tenderness and unconditional acceptance she received from everyone at the facility made her feel welcomed and loved. You were family.
Special thanks to Dr. Edward Plyler and Nurse Practitioner, Jamie Allman, and to Rebecca Marler, Helix Tate, Lisa Harless, Makayla Townsend, Beverly O'Neill, Diane Porter, Doris Causby, Tammy Williams, Charlene McCall and Allyson Ledford. No doubt there are names of those we have left out, but your kind faces and sweet care could never be forgotten.
Finally, thank you to the staff of Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, whose support and guidance provided such comfort. Teresa, Terri, Vicki, Rachel, Katie, you are God's hands and heart at work.
Please join the family in a celebration of life for Danielle Faith Rose on Saturday, September 30th, Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and the service of celebration will begin at 7:00 in the funeral home chapel. Graveside services will be on Sunday, October 1st at 1:30 at Jonas Ridge Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Burke County Hospice and Palliative Care.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.