Janet Gael Rohde

Janet Rohde, age 78, of Newcastle passed away peacefully on September 25, 2024. Janet Gael Brooks was born on June 15, 1946 in Vinita, Oklahoma, the oldest of three children born to Johnnie Warren Brooks and Mabel Bernice (Gray) Brooks. She was raised in Putnam City until around the 5th grade, when the Brooks family moved to Wichita, Kansas. They resided there until her senior year of high school, when they decided to move back to the Oklahoma City area. Janet graduated from Southeast High School with the Spartan Class of 1964. Shortly after, she was accepted into Oklahoma Baptist University to continue her education. In 1968, Janet graduated from OBU with a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in biology and chemistry. She had applied and been accepted into medical school, but after spending two summers on missions in Guyana she felt the Lord was calling her in a different direction. Being the faithful servant she was, Janet decided to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. It was at seminary, that she caught the eye of a young man named, Paul Herman Rohde. They met at the annual “Howdy Party”, and the rest, as they say, is history. Janet and Paul were married on August 15, 1969 at Western Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, and together they have shared 55 wonderful years of marriage and memories together. The couple built a life of ministry together, and served in many churches and areas including Northeast Arkansas, Lawton, and Stonewall. Janet and Paul then followed God’s calling on their heart, and joined the mission field in Guyana, South America. They lived there for nearly 30 years. Side by side, they preached the gospel and shared the love of Jesus with hundreds of people. One of her biggest accomplishments in life was becoming a mother to her three beautiful children- John Paul, Kyle Herman, and Sarah Elizabeth. They shared countless memories that will forever be cherished. In her free time, Janet enjoyed listening to music and cooking. It was always said, she knew just how to feed people’s body, mind, and spirits. She was a people person, through and through; she never met a stranger! Janet was joyful, compassionate, hard-working, and selfless in nature. Janet was also a woman of great faith, and her love for Jesus was evident in everything she did. It has been said that, “To know Janet was to know Jesus”, because she continually glorified His name and exemplified His character. Janet was faithful hearted in every sense of the word. She truly was a one-of-a-kind woman who will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her! She was preceded in death by: her parents, Johnnie and Mabel Brooks and her younger sister, Sharon Kaye Aday. Janet is survived by: her loving husband, Paul Rohde of the home; sons, John Paul Rohde and wife Morgan of Hendersonville, Tennessee and Kyle Herman Rohde and wife Joray of Orlando, Florida; daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Christie and husband Vaughn of Richardson, Texas; 6 grandchildren, Paul, Erin, Joanna, Gannon, Ethan, and Liam; brother, David Brooks and wife Letitia of Washington; their Guyana family, and a host of other family and friends. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Friday October 4, 2024 at Newcastle First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you consider donating to the International Mission Board. https://www.imb.org/generosity/

Janet Gael Rohde

June 15, 1946 - September 25, 2024