Jean Rowland Thomas

Jean Rowland Thomas, born March 15, 1944, in Seattle, Washington, passed away at her home on September 23, 2026, with her husband, Jerry Thomas, at her side. Her son, Doug, and her sister-in-law were also present.

Jean’s career spanned 30 years as Property Manager for Harvey Freeman & Sons in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she met and married Jerry Thomas. They soon moved to Florida to continue their careers and then to Marietta, Georgia.

Jean built a life filled with family and special times with Jerry. She loved to take day trips on their motorcycles. The Georgia mountains were her favorite destination. She loved the outdoors and taking the boat out on the lake. When she was home, she spent hours on the deck or looking through the kitchen dining area windows at the wildlife: deer, wild turkey, and the bluebirds that would nest every year in the birdhouse.

Holidays were her favorite time of year with family gatherings. Thanksgiving was spent at Doug’s house in Florida enjoying family and friends as well as the Turkey Run Car Show every year. Next was Christmas in Georgia at the yearly Christmas party with 40-65 guests. Jean loved to catch up with family from out of town and those she hadn’t seen in a while, watching the kids play Christmas games, the gift exchange, and lots of food.

Jean enjoyed imagining new ways to decorate/redecorate the house. She would give Jerry her new ideas, which usually meant tearing out walls and redesigning the bathrooms and kitchen. Thankfully, Jerry, being a contractor, worked well to make Jean’s design a reality. As Jerry says, she was a wonderful supervisor and consultant throughout the many projects they completed together.

Many family trips were made to Tennessee to Ms. Thomas’ home place to make repairs and visit. All 5 brothers and sisters on the Thomas side of the family would share the projects. Jean would sit with Ms. Thomas on the front porch and talk for hours. When Ms. Thomas turned 80, Jean helped plan a birthday celebration for her with all the details organized.

Shopping trips and running errands with her mother, Ruby (whom the family knew as Nan), were always followed by stops at Bruster’s Ice Cream before going home. Many weekends were spent at Estate Sales finding treasures. Of course, Jerry and Nan’s husband, Ralph, would be in tow to load all the precious cargo.

Jean was preceded in death by her father and mother, John and Ruby Hayes, and her sister, Margaret Tipton Parker.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Thomas; her sons, Doug Rowland and Scott Rowland; her stepson, Brett Thomas and Matt Strabala; her grandson, Eric Rowland; and his daughters, Halle, Cadence, and Ella; her granddaughter, Erica Rowland Miller (Brad); and their daughters, Harper and Emma. Also, nephews Michael Tipton (Carla) their daughter, Hayden; and David Tipton (Courtney).

The Thomas side of Jean’s family includes 2 brothers-in-law and 3 sisters-in-law, 12 nieces and nephews, 30 great-nieces and nephews, and 5 great-great-nieces and a nephew.

Jean lived a full life with purpose and care.

Jean will be interred at: Kennesaw Memorial Park, 1306 Whitlock Avenue NW, Marietta, GA 30064 on October 3, 2026 at 1:00 pm

A Celebration of Life will be held on a future date.