PALMETTO – Diocesan House is deeply saddened to share news of the death of the Reverend Deacon Rocks-Anne Paul on June 10, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 72 years old. She served The Episcopal Church for more than 35 years through lay and ordained ministry.
Before becoming a deacon, she served as secretary in four churches: Church of the Good Shepherd in Hemet, CA; St. John’s, Lakeport, CA; Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton, and Holy Spirit in Osprey. Deacon Paul was ordained in 2004. She served the Church of the Holy Spirit in Osprey (2006-2012) and St. George’s in Bradenton (2012-2016).
Deacon Paul was born April 8, 1951, in Bradenton, Florida to Richard H. Edwards and Lois Payne Townsend. She is survived by her sons: Benjamin Paul (Valerie), Richard Paul (Melissa), and Andrew Paul; her grandchildren: Elizabeth, Katherine, Alex, Mackenzie, and Lincoln; her brothers and sisters: Robert Edwards (Nancy), Malcolm Edwards, Lois-Lynn Bellemare (Louis) and Faye Charnell (Kenny); and many nieces and nephews.
Her family and friends remember her as a loving mother, a devout Christian, and a student of life. She loved children, cooking, reading, and dancing. As a full-time mother, she spent years raising children (her own, among others), all while attending college part-time, where she earned a B.A. of Psychology. Later, her studies focused on theology, and she was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons of The Episcopal Church in 2004. She continued to work and serve at the church until she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.
All donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or a church of your choosing.
More information regarding her memorial service will be forthcoming.