Rowena Belo Revels

Revels – Rowena Belo Revels, age 70, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Memorial Hospital following complications post cardiac surgery. She was surrounded by friends and family who never left her side in the days leading up to her passing. Rowena was born in the Philippines on February 23, 1954. She also met and married her late husband, Phillip Revels, while he was an active-duty Navy seaman stationed in the Philippines. Soon after, they relocated to the United States.

As a proud Navy wife, Rowena traveled the country for 21 years in support of her husband’s Naval career. She took on a variety of jobs as needed. While stationed in New York she worked as a Uniform Specialist. After settling in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Phillip, Rowena worked at Excel Industry as an inspector and then at Fil Am Filipino Restaurant as a cashier where she was always a prime example of dedication and kindness.

Rowena grew up with a deep appreciation for nature. She loved to go fishing and camping. She had a green thumb and was an avid gardener, planting new flowers every spring. Her pride and joy were her backyard garden where she grew corn, squash, bell peppers, lemons, grapefruit, watermelon and numerous varieties of flowers.

Rowena loved and worshipped God. Her daily routine included 15 minutes of devoted prayer as soon as she woke up, followed by an hour of reading her Bible. Afterward, she would watch TBN to listen to her favorite worship songs. Rowena loved getting dressed up for church and adored her church family. She also loved her neighbors and enjoyed decorating her home for all occasions. Inside her home, on her front porch and in her yard she would decorate to commemorate the seasons with elaborate displays that would bring joy to anyone who passed by.

Rowena loved her life in America and displayed that pride, especially on the 4th of July when she would adorn every inch of her home with red, white and blue. Christmas was her absolute favorite. Rowena dedicated her life to her family. She took great pride in being a devoted wife and homemaker, lovingly raising her only daughter, Alma. Rowena was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents Armando Belo and Rosario Padillo Belo and loving husband, Phillip Revels.

Rowena is survived by her loving daughter, Alma Shirley and her beloved son-in-law, Wilbur Shirley, both of Atlantic Beach, FL; sisters, Consorica Decelo Parker and Evangeline, brother-in-law Daryl Gunderman, both of Jacksonville. Brothers, Jose and Artemio from Philippines. Sisters, Araceli, Evelyn, Amelia and Lina from the Philippines. Along with numerous nieces and nephews plus extended family members and friends who will cherish her memory, both in the Philippines and the United States.

A Celebration of Rowena’s Life will be held at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home 940 Cesery Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32211, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 11:00 am with Pastor Will Cooper officiating. Family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. The viewing will be on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The burial will be at 2:00 pm at The Jacksonville National Cemetery 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32218, A reception will follow at 3:30 pm at Coastal Baptist Church, 750 Girvin Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32225 The arrangements are under the care and direction of Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home.