Thomas Stephenson Rowland, Sr., 91, passed from this life into an eternity with His Lord on February 11, 2019. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, J.A. and Erline Rowland of Flora. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Lee Mooney Rowland; his daughter, Laura Lee Rowland Slimp (Bryant); his sons: Steve Rowland (Jeanne’); Roger Rowland; and Martin Rowland (Stacy); his grandchildren: Brad Rowland (Christy), Jason Rowland (Lindsay), Scott Rowland; Katie Slimp Brunin (Greg), Campbell Slimp (Catie), Taylor Slimp (Hannah); Hannah Rowland, Joshua Rowland; Mitchell Rowland and David Rowland; and six great-grandchildren.
Mr. Rowland was born and reared in Flora, Mississippi where he was a graduate of Flora High School in 1945. He enlisted in the USMC during WWII where he served as a part of the final group to secure Okinawa, Japan and the occupation of Japan & China. After his service, he attended Mississippi State earning a business degree in accounting and then returned to Flora where he met and married the love of his life, Dorothy Lee Mooney of Oxford, Mississippi on October 6, 1951. The coupled settled in Flora where he began his 33-year career as a rural mail carrier for USPS and as a gentleman farmer. Mr. Rowland and his family attended First Baptist Church of Flora where he faithfully served as a deacon, as treasurer and in several other capacities. He was also very civic minded, as he was allowed to serve eight years on the Board of Alderman for the Town of Flora. Once he retired, he enjoyed traveling extensively with his wife, working in his garden, singing too loudly while mowing his yard, playing croquet with his children and grandchildren, fishing, hunting, helping others in Flora and volunteering at the Methodist Rehab for many years where he was honored as the Volunteer of the Year in 2003 presented by former Governor Winter as a tribute to Tom’s service, passion for the patients and his devotion to helping others in a most selfless and altruistic way.
A special thanks to Rhonda Thompson from Kindred Hospice for her unsurpassed devotion and heart, to Cathy Hunter, a loving caregiver to them both, and the staff at The Orchard/The Arbor for their compassion and dedication to Mr. and Mrs. Rowland during this difficult time.
Funeral arrangements include a Friday evening visitation from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and another visitation on Saturday from 12:30 pm until the service at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Flora.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation to First Baptist Church of Flora be made in his memory.
