Ray Carter Rowe

Ray Carter Rowe, age 81, lifelong resident of Columbus, died on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at his residence. Graveside services are scheduled at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus on Monday, April 23, 2012, 3 p.m. with Reverend Mike Knowles officiating, according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, April 22, 2012 from 3-5 p.m. Mr. Rowe, son of the late Raymond Alexander Rowe and Sarah Carter Kimbrough Rowe, was born February 19, 1931 in Columbus. He was retired as CEO of Raymond Rowe Furniture, where he served the local community for over 60 years. Mr. Rowe was actively involved in the community and was on Board of Directors, Georgia Home Furnishings Association (former recipient, Nice Guy Award); Board of Directors, Better Business Bureau; and member, Uptown Columbus Association (former recipient, J. Edgar Chancellor, Jr. Memorial Award). He was also a member of Waldrop Memorial Baptist Church. Mr. Rowe is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen Rowe of Columbus; two daughters, Susan Rowe Morrow and her husband Richard of Midland, GA and Jeannie Rowe Burke and her husband Carl of Pine Mountain, GA; one son, Randy Rowe and his wife Sally of Midland, GA; eight grandchildren, Angela Nicholson of Savannah, GA, David McMurry and his wife Chrissy of Pooler, GA, Holly Hicks and her husband Andy of Columbus, Grant Morrow and his wife Jessica of Columbus, Randall Rowe of Auburn, AL, Jennifer Rowe of Brevard, NC, P.J. Burke of Pine Mountain, GA, and Jason Burke and his wife Amanda, also of Pine Mountain, GA; seven great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Flowers are accepted or contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society www.acscan.org or Waldrop Memorial Baptist Church, 2308 Hilton Ave., Columbus, GA 31904. On Monday, April 23, 2012, in memory and in his honor, Raymond Rowe Furniture will be closed.