Reverend Rufus Lamar Rowland, 90, died January 31, 2018.

Born on May 18, 1927, a native of Oconee County, he was the youngest son of the late Wesley and Mattie Mae Coggins Rowland, and was preceded in death by an infant son, Dwain Lamar Rowland, brother, Leroy Rowland, and a sister, Rosa Mae Coker.

Reverend Rowland proudly served in the United States Army. He was deployed to France and Germany where he served as a military policeman. Upon his return home, he attended The Harper Method Hair Styling School and worked as a barber. On June 22, 1952 Rufus married Mary Lena Gunter. At the age of 28, Rufus answered the call from God to become a minister. Rufus and Mary Lena moved to Cleveland, Georgia, where he attended Truett McConnell College. After graduation in 1957 they, along with their newborn daughter, Teresa, moved to Macon, Georgia so that Rufus could attend Mercer University. Rufus was ordained into the Baptist ministry at Center Hill Baptist Church on May 22, 1960. Known as Preacher Rowland, he served as pastor of many churches until the mid-1980s when he retired.

Throughout his life serving the Lord and spending time with his family was Rufus’s passion. He was a devoted husband to Mary Lena for sixty-five years and the most wonderful father to Teresa. He loved his time with his three granddaughters and later his seven great-grandchildren. Rufus was an avid gardener and later became an exceptional baker. He was known as “The Cake Man” and was locally famous for his caramel cakes.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the chapel of Lord and Stephens, EAST, with Revs. Donnie Morgan and Joe Vernon officiating. Interment will follow at Lighthouse Methodist Church Cemetery, Lexington, GA.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lena Gunter Rowland; daughter, Teresa (Tommy) Paul of Lexington; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Elliott) Burt of Carlton, Leanne (Brandon) Carter of Lexington, and Meredith (Davis) Meyer of Arnoldsville; great grandchildren, Hannah Burt, Jenna Burt, Ava Burt, Wyatt Carter, Rhett Carter, Hayden Meyer, and Lane Meyer; “chosen” daughter, Vickie Scott (Doug) Hammond of Bogart and their children, Adam (Lauren) Hammond of Denver, CO and Ashley (Jesse) Fowler of Jefferson; grandchildren, Kinney Hammond and Mally Fowler.

Pallbearers will be Elliott Burt, Brandon Carter, Davis Meyer, Doug Hammond, Adam Hammond and Jesse Fowler.

The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend deepest love and appreciation to the staff at Quiet Oaks Health Center for the exceptional care that was given to our Gramps during his time there. Donations in memory of Gramps may be made to Quiet Oaks Heath Center in Crawford, Georgia.
Lord and Stephens, EAST, is in charge of arrangements.

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