Dorotha "Dorothy" Rowland's Obituary
Dorotha "Dorothy" Mae (Davis) Rowland, a selfless and gentle woman, passed away on Thursday, January 20th, 2022 at the ago of 83.
Dorothy was born on November 12th, 1938 to Henry Lauden and Mattie Mae (McPherson) Davis. After graduation she married her high school sweetheart, Franklin Rowland, on June 22, 1957. She began her career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a clerk typist. In the early 1960s, she stepped away from work to stay home with her kids while they were growing up. She had a knack for making the house truly feel like a home. Every time someone came through the doors she made it a warm and inviting place to be. Whether coming in after school or work, or being called in for lunch or dinner, her family will never forget the way she made their home feel. After her kids were raised, she worked for various contractors in the Landing Gear Test Facility at WPAFB, retiring as a buyer in 2014 at age 76.
The center of her life was her family. From memorable family vacations to making sure they were all well fed, she poured her heart and soul into each one of them. When her kids were little, they enjoyed traveling in their small camper. It was tight quarters, but it was treasured time because life slowed down, they ate together (including cinnamon rolls for breakfast), played games, and explored different parts of the country and Canada.
Holidays were also memorable, especially when it came to food. At Easter, she made a bunny shaped cake decorated with coconut and jelly beans, and at Christmas she made cheesecake with strawberry topping and death by chocolate. Some of her other delicious specialties were breaded cube steak with gravy and homemade biscuits, and the most delicious, crunchy cornbread in an iron skillet.
She especially treasured the time she spent with her grandkids and great-grandkids. She made them feel like the most important people on the planet, and nothing in her schedule was ever put before them. She often uttered the words, "It's no trouble at all," because it wasn't. It was the joy of her life to care for others. Dorothy always encouraged others with kind and uplifting words, more evidence of her deeply held beliefs and faith in Christ. She attended Bethel Community Church for many years, and enjoyed spending time there and in the word. She also enjoyed gardening and birdwatching, especially for cardinals.
She was preceded in death by her parents Henry Lauden Davis and Mattie Mae Davis, husband Franklin Rowland, siblings Arthur Jackson Davis (Isabelle), Arthur Lee Davis, Charles Davis (Christine), Carl Davis (Marilyn), Marjorie Riber (Donald), Bobby Davis (Joyce), and Kenneth Davis.
Carrying on her legacy of faith and family are her children Curtis A. Rowland (Lori) and Sandra L. Evans (Dale), grandchildren Chelsea Keadle (Seth), Geoffrey Evans, Haley Urschel (Andrew), Gregory Evans, Tyler Rowland (Nathalie), and Garrett Rowland, great-grandchildren Colson Keadle and Charlotte Urschel, as well as many nieces and nephews and good friends.
To help the family celebrate her life, you are invited to share during her visitation on Monday, January 24th, at Conner and Koch Life Celebration Home (92 W Franklin St. Bellbrook, OH 45305) from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Life Celebration Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 25th, at Conner and Koch Life Celebration Home. Live streaming will be available during the service, please contact Conner and Koch to be added to the list.
You are welcome to write a condolence message, send flowers, plant a memorial tree, and share a story or picture of Dorotha at www.ConnerAndKoch.com.
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