The Rowell

The Reverend Mary Alice Eskew Rowell, 76, of Atlanta, died Thursday, June 28, 2012, at Emeritus at Skylyn Place. Born March 20, 1936, in Anderson, SC, she was the daughter of the late James Harley and Nellie Florence Hamilton Eskew. Rev. Rowell was a member of Reidville Road United Methodist Church and served as a pastor at several United Methodist churches including Chester and McCormick. She was a former local Spartanburg Chapter and State President of the Jayceettes, board member of Christian Prison Ministries, an Ordained Elder, and board member of Ordained Ministry for the South Carolina United Methodist Conference. Mary was also the first female minister appointed by the Bishop to start a United Methodist Church in South Carolina which is now Reidville Road United Methodist Church. She received her MDV from Erskine Theological Seminary and BS from Winthrop University. Surviving are her daughters, Amanda Rowell Keller and husband Scott, and Robin Rowell Slater and husband Greg, all of Atlanta, GA; son, Bob Rowell and wife Kathryn of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, and Olivia Keller, Emma and Aidan Slater, Andrew and Nicholas Rowell; and brother, Thomas Eskew of Atlanta, GA. She was predeceased by a brother, Paul Eskew; and sisters, Harley Eskew and Carolyn Fleishman. Visitation will be 1:00-2:45 PM Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Reidville Road United Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 PM, at the church, conducted by the Rev. James A. Williams and the Rev. K. David Caughman. Burial will be in New Silver Brook Cemetery, Anderson, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Reidville Road United Methodist Church, 5575 Reidville Road, Moore, SC 29369. The family is at the home of Kathryn and Bob Rowell. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of The Reverend Mary Alice Eskew Rowell please visit our Sympathy Store.