John Harvey Rowell, Sr

John Harvey Rowell, Sr., was born October 2, 1941 in Mobile, Alabama, the 3rd child of Robert & Nadine Fowler Rowell.

At the age of two, they moved to Carlowville, (Dallas Co.) Alabama., to the home place of the Rowell family since their arrival in Alabama in 1833.

John had a wonderful childhood

and attended Carlowville High School where he was an outstanding athlete and outdoorsman and would use these talents later in life to teach others.

At the age of 16, he married Mary Elizabeth McCormick Rowell, of Selma, in February 1958.

They were married at a small Methodist Church in Buena Vista, Ga.

John started his work career in the family timber business, an electrician at City Electric and various other companies before going to Hammermill Paper, I.P. for over 27 years. He was a millwright in the maintenance department most of the time while there. He also served the local union as President during the 1970s.

He had an incredible work ethic and enjoyed and respected people of all back-grounds.

John was active in the community in many different ways, especially if it involved his family.

He was the electrician and lighting expert for the Charity League Follies from 1964 to 1980 as well as all the Dance Recitals for first his sister, Nadia Speed&8217; dance studio to all the recitals of his daughters.

He used his athletic talents to coach baseball for the Selma City League for 13 years and considered all &8220;his boys&8221; as his own.

He was a member of

the Selma Elks club for many years, as well as other such organizations.

John also loved the Lord and brought many people to come to know him.

Raised in the Catholic Church,

he became born again in 1987 and served the lord at Christ the King, CEC.

He served on the intercessory prayer group and gladly served where he was needed.

John considered his family and friends his greatest joy, his children his greatest legacy and his witness for Christ his greatest accomplishment.

John is survived by his wife of fifty years, Mary McCormick, his mother. Nadine Fowler Rowell of Gainesville, GA;

his brother Bobby (Doris) Rowell of Birmingham, his sister, Nadia (Bill) Speed of Gainesville, Ga.

His sister-in-law Myrtle Mitchell of Hartsville, Al.; his sister-in-law Shirley Rowell of Fairhope, Al.; his brother-in-law John McCormick of Gulf Shores, Ala.;

his children; John Harvey Rowell, Jr.

(Lin), grandchildren Maridith, Elizabeth, Trint and JoAnna., all of Greenville, S.C.;

Julie Rowell (Godfrey) Lyons, of Selma; Libby Rowell (Glenn) Bradford, grandchildren Mary Katherine, Margaret, Marlee, of Scyrene, Ala.; and Jennifer Rowell (Sean) Venable and Kenley, of Macon, Ga.

The funeral will be held at Christ the King Cathedral on Highland Ave at 2 p.m. today. (Tuesday) followed by a brief graveside service at New Live Oak Cemetery.

Directed by Lawrence Brown Funeral Home.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Christ the King Cathedral, CEC, Building Fund.