Amy McIntosh danced her way into the arms of her Savor on Friday, April 3rd 2015 at her home surrounded by friends and family. Even though she had never smoked a cigarette in her life she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer after seeing the doctor thinking she had a cold, which she could not get over. Her deep faith in God never wavered throughout her struggle and it was her hearts desire to point to something greater than herself.
Amy was born August 13, 1977 in Tulsa Oklahoma into the loving arms of William and Jennifer Roark. She graduated from Memorial high school in 1995, and then continued on to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri where earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography/Performance in 1998. Amy was born to dance, she start to dance at the age of 3 and continues to dance today in Heaven. After Stephens she moved to Brockport New York to continue her dance education where she received a Masters of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography/Performance in 2000 from the State University of New York at Brockport. It was at Brockport that she meet her husband of 13 years, Jacob
Jacob and Amy where married in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Asbury United Methodist Church on August 18, 2001. Together Amy and Jacob had two children, Morgan age 9 and Justice age 4. Amy treated her time with her husband and boys with a sacredness that was inspired by God. She was very protective of her boys, she loved with with sacrificial godlike love.
After completing her graduate degree she followed her dream to dance in New Your City, with her parents love and support. Amy learned to follow her dreams wherever they lead her from her mom and dad. She loved them always knew that she could fall into her momma and daddie's arms if she needed too. While she was in NYC she heard God's voice calling her to Belhaven University in Jackson MS to help them start their Modern Dance program. During her time at Belhaven she earned Tenure, and became Associate Chair of the Dance department. It was turning her time in Mississippi that God grew in her a love to teach and began to develop her passion for community and what it meant to mix her faith and her art. It was such a passion of Amy's to communicate with her audience clearly what was in her heart and the truths about God.
After 5 years in Mississippi Amy and her husband felt God leading them to Tulsa Oklahoma, and so she left her job while expecting Morgan their first son (born March 8th 2006) and they moved to Tulsa for Jacob's new job. Not long after moving to Tulsa Oral Roberts University called her about helping them start a brand new dance major at the University. Amy was so excited about the opportunity to develop a program from the ground up. She loved every second of her time at ORU. She had such a passion for teaching the students about not just dance, but about life in God. God gifted Amy with a second son Justice who was born June 22, 2011.
While in Houston Tx at MD Anderson Cancer center receiving treatment she found out that she had been awarded full Professorship at ORU in November, 2014. She was very proud to teach at ORU and it meant a lot to her that she was recognized for her work by the University.
When Amy heard God speaking she always answered and she heard God calling her home. She had such a peace about where God was taking her. Amy was preceded in death by her grandparents Pete and Pauline Birdwell and Perry and Elva Roark all of whom she was looking forward to seeing again in Heaven.
Amy survived by her parents Bill and Jennifer Roark, her brother Alan and his wife Mallory. She is also survived by her two boys Morgan (age nine) and Justice (age 4). Her husband is exactly looking forward to the day when he will see her again in heaven.
Funeral arrangements have been made at Moore Funeral home on 51st in Tulsa Oklahoma. Viewing will be held on Tuesday the 14th of April from 11 to 8 with the family in attendance from 4-7pm. Amy memorial celebration will be held on Wednesday the 15 at 1pm at Oral Roberts University's Howard Auditorium. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be given to Augustine Christian Academy ( www.acatulsa.org ) or to a dance scholarship fund ( http://www.youcaring.com/other/amy-roark-mcintosh-scholarship-fund-for-dance/335120#.VShg_BXEQzY.facebook ). Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233