Doris Eileen Carlton Rowe peacefully entered the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 26, 2025 at Saint Anne’s Terrace in Atlanta, Georgia. She was 104 and now rejoins her sweetheart and husband of 76 years, Jim (James Walter Rowe), who preceded her in death.
Born August 23, 1921, in Chillicothe, Missouri to Fred and Bertha Carlton, Doris was the eldest of four children. She excelled in school and had many talents including drawing, sewing and culinary arts. An excellent cook, Doris was eager to share her talents and treasured recipes so that family favorites might be enjoyed by generations to come.
Doris met the love of her life in 1943 during Jim’s Army training in Chillicothe, and they were married in 1946 in Norfolk, VA after Jim returned from World War II. They later resided in Columbia, SC, Virginia Beach, Saint Petersburg, New Jersey, and Atlanta which they ultimately called home. Doris and Jim were blessed with two children, James Carlton “Carl” and Leigh Anne.
Doris was an avid reader who enjoyed playing golf and bridge with friends. She traveled extensively in the United States and Europe where she had the occasion to meet Princess Anne of the United Kingdom. Doris was, however, just as content spending time with family at home or at Isle of Palms, SC and was always up for a game of cards. Doris was a true Atlantan who cheered on the Braves and Falcons, and read the Atlanta Journal and Constitution cover-to-cover every day.
Doris was a cherished Friend, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother to family who lovingly called her GG. A ray of sunshine in an often-cloudy world, she will be deeply missed by her family who surrounded her in life and in her final hours. GG is survived by her son Carl (Grayce) and daughter Leigh Anne (John), grandchildren John Grant (Kim), Kelli Rowe Harbin (John), Tricia Grant Hunt (Steve), Kasey Rowe Malatesta (Joe), great grandchildren Kaitlin (Austin), Connor, Ellie, Morgan (Nick), Tatum, Allison, Liam and James, and great-great grandson, Sammy.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you give in Doris’ memory to those in greater need; gifts of friendship, prayers, love or financial assistance. May we all be so blessed as our beloved GG with such a long and wonderful life.
Graveside services will be Monday, September 29, 2025 at 12 o’clock at Arlington Memorial Park, 021 Mount Vernon Hwy., Sandy Springs, GA 30328.
