Beverly Jordan Rowe

On April 1, 2021, Beverly Jordan Rowe slipped from this world into the next, in Annandale, Virginia, in the home where she had lived for sixty years. It was in this home where she continued to raise her five daughters following the untimely death, in 1966, of her husband, Jerome William “Bill” Rowe. Born and raised in Washington, District of Columbia, Beverly (Bev) was the daughter of Richard Bedford and Lela (Sales) Jordan. She and Bill were married at Eldbrook Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. on June 15, 1946, shortly after he returned from serving in the Navy in the Pacific Ocean theater during World War II. They moved to Falls Church, Virginia in 1949 and subsequently purchased Arlington Printers; the business was soon expanded to include additional printing presses, office and stationery supplies and was renamed Arlington Printers and Stationers. Following Bill’s death, Bev successfully ran and grew the business over the next 33 years. She was a leader in the community, including the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Soroptimist International of Arlington. She became active in the Printing Industry of the Virginias, serving as the first woman president. She was a longtime member of Friendship United Methodist Church in Falls Church, Virginia, teaching Sunday School and serving on nearly every committee, including terms as chairman of the Board of Trustees. With five daughters, she spent many years as a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader, serving as a role model for countless young girls. Beginning with local, then cross-country family camping trips, she ultimately became a world traveler, visiting places many only dream of. Her travels took her to the far reaches of five continents where she enjoyed learning about, and immersing herself in, diverse cultures. Proclaiming herself to be “Granny” following the birth of her first grandchild, she became Granny not only to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but also to their spouses, friends of her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and to countless exchange students over more than twenty years. She opened her home and her heart with loving, unconditional respect and acceptance to anyone who was fortunate to know her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her only son, William Robert “Billy” Rowe, her brother and sister and one granddaughter, Caitlin Marie Peck. She is survived by her five daughters: Linda (Ron) Ford of Hagerstown, Maryland; Joyce (George “Doc”) Edwards of Martinsburg, West Virginia; Karen Peck and Vickie Rowe, both of Annandale, Virginia; and Carol (Bob) Patterson of Lancaster, Virginia. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Kimberly Ford of Huntersville, North Carolina; Brandon (Melissa) Ford of Austin, Texas; Alaina (Wayne “Trey”) Alter of Hagerstown, Maryland; and Brittany Patterson of Huntersville, North Carolina; and six great-grandchildren. A virtual memorial service in celebration of her life will be held on May 1 at 2pm. Link to follow when available. She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery next to her husband at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Friendship United Methodist Church, 3527 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042, or the Smithsonian National Zoo: nationalzoo.si.edu/support/donate Our hearts will grieve over what has been lost, but our spirits will rejoice over all that is left.