Ruby Merrill Rowland

Obituary: - Ruby Merrill Rowland, age 92, formerly of 308 S. Walnut Street, died Sunday, September 30, 2012 at The Oaks at Town Center, Harrisburg, NC. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Willie Rash from Centerview Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service. She was born October 8, 1919 in Henderson County, NC, the daughter of the late Edgar Merrill and Etta McCall Merrill. She was an employee of Cannon Mills Company Plant #1 Sewing Room for 46 years, retiring in 1989. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who always enjoyed her family. The family has wonderful memories of observing Christmas at her home for over 60 years. Mrs. Rowland was a 1936 graduate of Etowah High School in Hendersonville, NC serving as class salutatorian. She was an avid Tar Heel basketball fan, very rarely seen without her Carolina Pocketbook and wearing apparel. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Linton A. Rowland of 53 years; sisters, Irene Merrill, Alma M. Allman, Nora M. (Susie) Rumple; and a brother, John Merrill. Survivors include two sons, Terry Rowland of Concord, NC and Wayne Rowland of Kannapolis, NC; two grandchildren, Kimberly R. White & husband, Kevin of Kannapolis, NC and Derek Rowland & wife, Barbara of Rock Hill, SC; great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Cassie White and Carson and Brantley Rowland; three sisters, Lillian Little of Kannapolis, NC, Nell Pace of Concord, NC, and Mary Weems of Bristol, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of the Oaks at Town Center, Harrisburg, NC and Hospice & Palliative Care of Charlotte for their loving care given to Ruby during her illness. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Visitation: 1:00 to 3:00 PM Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 3:00 PM Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park