Obituary of Joe Rowell

Joe W. Rowell, 85, of Murfreesboro, formerly of Atlanta and Douglasville, GA passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at Middle TN Medical Center. Mr. Rowell was preceded in death by his son, Wayne Rowell; parents, Grover and Ellen Rowell; sisters, Meta Ray Rowell, Kathleen Carroll; brother, Leonard Rowell. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marjorie Wallis Rowell; daughter and son in law, Elaine and Billy Paschal; grandchildren, Lyle and Lauren Paschal, all of Murfreesboro; sisters, Frances Ellis of Fayetteville, GA, Clara Ellen Ham of Florence, SC, Martha (Robert) Carroll of Birmingham, AL; nieces and nephews. Joe was a veteran of the United States Navy serving in World War II. He retired from Nabisco Brands in Atlanta in 1986 after 44 years of service. He was an avid gardener and known as "the tomato man" by those who loved him. His greatest joy was the love of family and especially being a part of his grandchildren's lives. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. A private memorial service is to be held. The family wishes to express their love and thank you to the caregivers and all personnel of Broadmore Assistant Living Dementia Unit, Community Care of Rutherford County H & I wing and Alive Hospice of Murfreesboro.