Rowena was born on December 28, 1933. She was the loving wife of the late Earl Haywood for 52 years; dear mother of Linda (Kevin) Gipson and Sally Haywood; doting grandmother of Elena Crosley; Samuel Gipson, and Stuart (Jessica) Gipson; great-grandmother of Harper Roe Gipson; sister of Glena Brown, James "Pete" (the late Joyce) Thornton, the late William, Geraldine, and Alfred (the late Bonnie) Thornton; sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and dear friend to so many. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Lorene Thornton.
Rowena retired from the St. Louis Board of Education, having served primarily as secretary to the principal of Sumner High School. She and her husband, Earl, were dedicated members of Third Baptist Church since the late 1950's and deaconess/deacon for many years. They lived in the same house on Oleatha, in southwest St. Louis City, for 53 years; Managed and maintained rental property, where they took pride in providing a home to others; Were in a Square dance club; and spent most of their time off with family in Arkansas. Rowena was: A volunteer usher for the Fox Theater almost weekly for 24 years, along with a couple of her best friends (they couldn’t tell me how many times they’d seen “Phantom of the Opera”); A book club member at the Machacek Public Library for decades; Dabbler in home gardening and nurturer or African Violets; Member of the Missouri Botanical Garden, which she visited often (saying, “ooh, I’ve killed one of those”); Driver for Meals on Wheels; Long-time bowler on a league at Shrewsbury Lanes; and was an avid member of the Walkways (walking club).
Visitation will be Saturday, November 30 from 1:30-3pm at Third Baptist Church, 620 North Grand Blvd. St. Louis 63103. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 3pm. Burial in Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rowena's name may be made to Third Baptist Church.
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