Ann Imogene Narron Rowland passed away peacefully on January 7, 2019. She was born in the Emit community of Johnston County, NC on March 29, 1928 to the late Wesley Percell Narron and the late Blonnie Lee Narron.
A graduate of Corinth Holders School, Imogene went on to Meredith College where she graduated in 1950 with a degree in business and economics.
She met Henry Benton Rowland, Jr (HB) on a blind date while she was a student at Meredith and he was a student at UNC-Chapel Hill. They married at Zebulon Baptist Church on June 15, 1952 and lived briefly in Chapel Hill before setting up residence in Raleigh. They were married for 32 years before his passing in 1984.
Jean taught school in Chapel Hill and at Garner High School before going to work for the City Manager of Raleigh. In order to adopt her children, Jean quit work to be a stay at home mom to Becky and David. Many years later she went back to teaching at Central Wake Optional High School. After truly retiring from teaching, she enjoyed many years working in the House Principal Clerks office at the NC General Assembly.
Jean was very active in her community. She taught Sunday School and was on the flower committee for many years at Ridge Road Baptist Church. Her many years with the Ridgewood Garden Club gave her friends that lasted throughout her life. She was an active volunteer at all her children’s schools from Raleigh Pre-School to Martin Middle School. She even took additional business classes at Appalachian State University when her daughter was a student there.
She loved to travel. She went with the Friendship Force to Japan, Mexico and England. With family and friends, she traveled across the US and Europe. Surprisingly she loved the casinos! Never one to do more than nickel and quarter slots, she simply enjoyed the shows and energy in Las Vegas, Branson, and Atlantic City. In 1987 she finally built on the land at Topsail Beach that she and HB had bought in 1960! She enjoyed her time there for many years.
When her daughter, Becky, retired and relocated to Boone, NC, in 2016 Jean went, too. She lived her final years at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone. She loved the Deerfield staff, the ASU students that worked and volunteered, the Hospice group, playing bingo, and the musical opportunities.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Welch Narron (Pauline), Hoyt Lee Narron (Lois), Stanley Dale Narron, and a son-in-law, Ray Lloyd Warrick.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Becky (Steve) Hoffman of Boone and David (Diana) Rowland of Emit, two grandchildren, Matthew (Bekka) Warrick of Raleigh and Marianne Warrick of Charlotte, and numerous nieces and nephews who were very dear to her.
Family will receive friends on Friday, January 11th from 2:30 - 3:30 pm in the Mausoleum Chapel of Raleigh Memorial Park (7501 Glenwood Avenue). Funeral Services will be held at 3:30 pm in the Mausoleum Chapel, with interment to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Medi Home Health & Hospice (400 Shadowline Drive Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607); Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living (287 Bamboo Road, Boone, NC 28607); or Ridge Road Baptist Church (2011 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607).
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18