Rosilind Vanessa (Gattis) Headen

Mrs. Rosilind Vanessa Headen age 61 of Hillsborough, NC (formerly of Pittsboro) transitioned into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at her residence.

Rosilind Vanessa Headen was born on February 24th, 1959 at Duke Hospital in Durham NC to Reverend Melvin and Evangelist Ruby Gattis. She transitioned to her heavenly home on January 19th, 2021.  She was a native of Durham County and was educated in the Durham County school system and was an avid Northern Knight.  She would briefly attend North Carolina Central University, but in her words, she did not attend long enough to grow feathers.  She was saved at age 7 and would later accept her calling and preached her initial sermon in 1977. She soon after met a man who had re-dedicated his life to God named Thomas M. Headen affectionately known as “Bro.’ The two were married on July 8th 1978.  Thomas too, like Vanessa had a calling on his life to preach the two supported each other in ministry throughout life at times even conducting tag team sermons.

Vanessa, affectionately known as Nessa was also a singer who with her voice lifted up the name of the Lord as a youth growing up in the choir at Deliverance Tabernacle Fellowship Church (now Cathedral).  As an adult she would assist her mother Evangelist Ruby Gattis in Worship & Praise conferences, lead worship with the DTFC worship & praise team as well as sing and direct with the Voices of Deliverance, She was also an original member of Joe Riley & The Deliverance Ensemble, a group lead by her cousin as well as Hessed, God’s unconditional Love, which was lead by her brother, one year her junior, Pastor Kim L. Gattis.   

After 15 years at Deliverance, Bro felt the calling to go deeper in ministry as a Pastor and re-joined his original church home.  She (Vanessa) amazingly split time supporting him in ministry as well as engaging in duties at Deliverance aka “The Hill.”  She would also preach at Deliverance as well as evangelize at different churches in the United Holy Church of America. After some time after she came to join him full time as Assistant Pastor at Obies Chapel United Holy Church, where she organized functions for the youth, took part in the music ministry of the youth, young adult and senior choirs, and yes preached the word of God tirelessly with the anointing.  Even before her time at Obies, her presence was felt in the United Holy Church as she in addition to preaching, also used her vocal talents along with the Western NC and Central Sub District Choirs.   After the untimely passing of her husband Pastor Thomas M. Headen, she would go on to support her brother Kim in his ministry as Pastor of Restoration Fellowship Assembly, where she would sing with the worship & praise team, preach at the church as well as still evangelize in when the call came at other places of worship.         

She leaves to cherish her in memory, her father Rev. Melvin W. Gattis of Raleigh, NC, One brother Pastor Kim L. Gattis (Monica) of Wake Forest, NC, two sons, Nicholas DaTanion Headen (Twanya) of Raleigh, NC; Quentin Thomas Headen (Krystalynn) of Hillsborough, NC; and a daughter, Karyn Trinnette Headen of Hillsborough, NC. Three grandchildren; Christian Thomas Headen, Caleb Nicholas Headen, and MaKayla Mulan Trinnette Kearney, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her son Elijah Enoch Headen, her husband Pastor Thomas Headen, and her mother; Elder Ruby L. Gattis.

In lieu of flowers condolences and donations made be made directly to the family.

Professional Services Entrusted to: Knotts Funeral Home - Chapel Hill