A native of Fuquay-Varina, NC. She is the second oldest child born to the late John R. Wilson and Lillie B. Wilson. She was married to the late Deacon Pete Rochelle. She has two adult children Marissa Rochelle and Chris Rochelle (Tai). She is a grandma of four and a great grandmother of three.

Dr. Rochelle was educated in the public schools of Wake County. She received an Associate Applied Science Degree in Legal Secretarial Science in 1972 (Wake Technical Institute); Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies in 1999 (Shaw University); and Master of Divinity Degree Shaw University Divinity School in 2002. She earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew University in 2012.

She is currently Assistant Professor of Religion at Shaw University and Professor at Ezekiel Institute of Ministry in the Doctoral Program. Former Professor at Apex School of Theology. She is an associate minister at Juniper Level Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Jeffrey Robinson.

She is an active member of the Shaw Raleigh-Wake Alumni Association, Scholarship Committee Chair of the Shaw National Alumni Association, and Treasurer of the Shaw University Divinity School Alumni Association. Community service: Dr. Rochelle is committed to serving others. She believes she is called by God to be a community servant. She has volunteered in various schools, community organizations and boards too numerous to name. She currently serves as the Social Action Chair for the Raleigh Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

She avidly advocates for civil rights for all people. She served as President of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP Branch for 10 years where she advocated for Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Morrisville, and Raleigh. She currently serves as 1ST Vice President and Education Committee of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP and is on the NC State NAACP Executive Committee.

Community Awards:

1. 2023 Faith Leader of the Year Award from the NC State Conference of the NAACP
2. 2009 Minister of the Year Award” from the NC State Conference of the NAACP.
3. 2012 Achievement In The Area Of Religion Award” from the National Pan Hellenic Council Of The Greater Raleigh Area.
4. 2012 State of North Carolina Order of The Long Leaf Pine Award.
5. 2015 Raleigh-Wake Chapter, Shaw University National Alumni Association Hall of Fame Honoree.
6. 2015 Eta Sigma Chapter Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity, Inc. Social Action Award
7. 2016 Raleigh Chapter of The Links, Incorporated “National Trends and Service Award”.
8. 2018 83rd Shaw University Divinity Annual Women’s Conference Social Justice Award.

Her Support Scripture is: Philippians 4:13 (NIV) “For I can do everything through Christ,[d] who gives me strength”.