Dr. Roela Victoria Rivera's Obituary
How do you measure the value of life?
Is it through the life you led?
Or through the lives you touched?
With Dr. Roela VIctoria Rivera, it is a fair assumption that her life was defined by the life she had, and the lives she touched.
Roela is an author, artist, diaconal minister, and doctor of theology. But for her, the best role she played was that of being Lola Roela to her five grandchildren, Elijah, Lucy, who lives in the same state of Tennessee, and Jaymier Lyle, Jayred Lloyd, and Jaylyn Myles who lives in New Hampshire.
It opens our hearts to the realization that despite the grief and sorrow engulfing Jun, and their sons, Paul Christian, Paul John, and Normal Vincent Paul are feeling, to the best of her earthly capabilities, Roela has served this temporary life well, she is now called for the realm beyond this one.
Roela has candidly shared time and again, that she was living a bonus life. Her life was as colorful as her paintings. Born 16 October 1949, in Hagonoy Bulacan, north of the Philippines, the youngest daughter of visual artist Pablo and Mercedes Victoria, Roela grew up in a highly creative family.
Following a faith and life calling, Roela and her husband Dr. Jun uprooted their lives, flew ten thousand miles, and immigrated to San Francisco, California thirty years ago. The couple then decided to move to Hendersonville, Tennessee where Roela served as Director of Studies at Scarritt-Bennett Center and a board director of the General Commission of the United Methodist Communications in Nashville. Together with Jun, she was also a person-in-mission in the Philippines.
Roela also has a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Drew University Theological School in New Jersey and Master of Arts in Religion and Arts from the Pacific School of Religion in California. Roela also has a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education degree where she graduated summa cum laude from the University of The East, Manila.
Roela is survived by her three older siblings, Vir Victoria of Rodeo, North California, Renoir Victoria of San Antonio, Texas, and Vinci Victoria Legaspi of Carson, South California.
Our family shares some of Roela’s writings from the Glimpses Of Heaven volume 1 book with you all:
Many people have believed that life is a continuous journey from ephemeral life on earth towards spiritual and eternal life in heaven.
God’s grace comes to us every day of our lives.
Each day comes fresh and new every morning with new life unfolding.
Each day comes with a miracle, each with a surprise more than our eyes can behold
and more than our senses can feel
and more than our thoughts can grasp.
We thank each and everyone of you for the love you have shown to Dr. Roela V. Rivera, you have been a strong steadfast community of faith for her, and our family, and we are eternally grateful to all of you.
Dr. Roela V. Rivera’s celebration of life is on the 24th of January, 2026, the 40th day of her passing and the birthday of her father, Pablo Victoria.
Said event which will occur on Saturday, will be open for family and friends, at 10 am, Rehoboth United Methodist Church, 2601 Cages Bend Rd, Gallatin, Tennessee. Urment will follow thereafter at Spring Hill Funeral Homes, Madison, Tennessee.
In lieu of gifts and flowers, please consider donating to Grace Notes Creative Ministry. Proceeds will help with building churches and outreach to further assist those in need to share the good news of salvation.
What’s your fondest memory of Roela?
What’s a lesson you learned from Roela?
Share a story where Roela's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Roela you’ll never forget.
How did Roela make you smile?