Bluefield- Rev. Dr. Raymond Marquess Rowe, Jr., 73, of 408 Mountain View Ave., Bluefield, died  Saturday May 26, 2007 at Duke University Hospital.

   Born February 8, 1934 in Clarksburg, WV he was a son of the late Raymond Marquess and Mildred Bauer Rowe. He graduated from Washington Irving High School, Clarksburg,1952 attended WVU for two years, where he was an active member of the Wesley Foundation, and served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56. Mr. Rowe received a B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1960, Master of Divinity from Duke University, 1963, and Doctor of Divinity from Drew University, 1980.

  Most recently Rev. Dr. Rowe served 6 years on the Board of Directors,  and 2 years as Chairman of the Board for the Burlington United Methodist Family Service; the Philippi Circuit; Associate Rougemont(NC); Jane Lew U.M.C.; Tridelphia U.M.C.; Pineville U.M.C.; Central U.M.C. Fairmont; First U.M.C. Beckley; and served as a Superintendent of the Bluefield District, 1993-1996 and the Southern District, 1996-1999.

   After retirement in 1999, he continued to serve the West Virginia Conference by serving at Bruce McDonald Memorial U.M.C., Man; John Stewart U.M.C., Bluefield; First U.M.C., Welch. He mentored Students of United Theological Seminary for several years and most recently served as visitation Pastor at First U.M.C. of Princeton. Raymond loved reading and gardening. He always said his best sermons were “written” while mowing the lawn.

   In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife Beatrice Mae Woodford Rowe.

   Raymond will be dearly missed by his wife; Mary Belle Rowe, son Paul Everett Rowe and wife Jennifer of Oak Hill, WV, two daughters; Rev. Mary Elizabeth Miller and husband Rev. Douglas Miller of Ramseur, NC, Margaret Louise Franks and husband Alan of Durham, NC, adopted son; David Lee Rowe of Nashville, TN, a sister; Louise Hill of Jackson, MI, five step-children; Dr. Lance Rhodes and wife Bobbi of Oakland, MD, Chet Rhodes and wife Michaele of Columbia, TN, John Rhodes of Romney, WV, Georgiana Grove of Morgantown, WV and Aaron Grove of Points, WV, grandchildren; Jordan and Christian Miller, Cammie, Emily, and Matthew Franks, PJ and Madison Rae Rowe, Erin and Rett Rhodes; Garrett, Spencer, Grace Abigail, Bishop, and Mason Bennett Rhodes, and Jolea Rhodes.

   Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday May 30, 2007 at 4:00 P.M. from the First United Methodist Church located in Princeton with the Rev. Randy Adkins officiating, with a visitation from 2:00P.M. until service time. Burial will be private.

   Friends may call at the Mercer Funeral Home on Tuesday May 29, 2007 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

   Serving as pallbearers will be; Paul Everett Rowe, Doug Miller, Alan  Franks, Lance Rhodes, Chet Rhodes, John Rhodes, Aaron Grove, and Todd Parke. Honorary pallbearers will be; Rev. Aslam Barkett, Rev. Clyde Beard, Bishop Tom Bickerton, Rev. Ronald Brooks, Rev. John Campbel, Rev. Mark Conner, Rev. Leo Farley, Rev. Joseph Geiger, Bishop Wm. Boyd Grove, Rev. Helga Hallett, Mr. Joseph Haugh, Bishop S. Clifton Ives, Rev. Sue Jarrett, Rev. Dan Johnson, Rev. James Kerr, Rev. Randy Kidd, Rev. Harry Light, Rev. William Miller, Rev. Cliff Schell, Rev. Ralph Thompson, Rev. William Thompson, Rev. Arthur Tucker, Rev. Nat Turner-Lacey, Rev. William Villers, Rev. Bill Wilson, and Rev. Richard Wright.

   In lieu of flowers memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to: Burlington United Methodist Family Service, Inc., Beckley Center, 4700 Robert C. Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.

   Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com 

     Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Rowe family

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