Odessa Decker Rowland, 89, of Cypress Community Care Center, Fort Myers, Florida, passed away Monday, September 5, 2005, at her residence. A graveside funeral service was held for Mrs. Rowland at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2005, at Sutton Cemetery, where she was laid to rest. The Rev. Joseph L. Crumley officiated.
Born July 4, 1916, in Tift County, Mrs. Rowland was the daughter of the late Abraham Lincoln Decker and Fannie Byrd Decker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Wilbur Rowland; one son, Foy Eugene Rowland; two brothers, T. E. Decker and R. A. Decker; and one sister, Louise Holloway. She retired fronm the State of Florida; and she was of the Church of God faith.
Mrs. Rowland is survived by three daughters, Sandra Keeling, Diane Miller and Gail Roan, all of Fort Myers, Florida; four sisters, Geinelle Statiras and Edna Faye Whittington, both of Tifton, Mary Lois Young Horne of Orlando, Florida and Guinevere Coleman of Norcross; 12 grandchildren, Kevin Keeling, Laurie Miller, Jill Gurcher, Leah Road, Roy Rowland, Angela Blair, Tracy Rowland, Kimberly Norris, Brady Scott, Jeremiah Roan, Rodney Rowland and Ginger Carroll.