Willie Joe Rowell

Hortense-Willie Joe Rowell, 79 of Hortense, passed away Monday morning (November 12, 2012) at his home, following a long battle with cancer. He loved his family and his church. He was a Charter Member and deacon of Twin Rivers Missionary Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army and retired from Babcock & Wilcox in Brunswick, GA, and Gulfstream in Savannah, GA. He was the son of Myrtle Rowell and the late Silas Rowell of Hortense, GA. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Vanzie Teston of St. Mary's, GA. Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Beverly Rowell, of Hortense; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Polly Rowell, of Palmer, Alaska, Greg and Regena Rowell, of Hortense; a daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Bubba Durden, of Hortense; 6 grandchildren, Erin Melissa and Joshua Rockey, Katie Elizabeth Rowell, Matthew Caleb Rowell, Christopher Gabriel Rowell, of Palmer, Alaska, Chad Eric and Amie Durden, of Prattville, AL, and Cody Evan Durden, of Hortense; 6 great grandchildren, Jacob Andrew, Emalee Alice, and Henry Brooks Rockey, of Palmer, Alaska, Branson Kade, Easton Avery, and Brooklyn McCoy Durden, of Prattvile, AL; 3 brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill & Bettye Rowell, of Hortense, Truman and Marie Rowell, of Brunswick, Mike & Pat Rowell, of Kingsland; and 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Mary Ellen Anderson, of Jesup, and Willene & Vernon Clements, of Brunswick. Also several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Visitation will be held Thursday (November 15, 2012) from 6 PM-8 PM, at Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta. A Funeral Service will be held Friday (November 16, 2012) at 11 AM, at Twin Rivers Missionary Baptist Church, with Dr. Bruce Rowell and Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. Burial will follow in Twin Rivers Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chad Durden, Cody Durden, Charles Brauda, Scott Rowell, Steve Rowell, and Charles Lewis. Honorary Pallbearers will be Hospice of South Georgia and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class of Twin Rivers Missionary Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of South Georgia, at 1625 Sunset Blvd. Jesup, GA 31545. Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta. Sympathy may be expressed by signing our online registry at fryefh.com.