Lester Rowland

Lester A. Rowland MARION, Va. Lester A. Rowland, age 83 passed away Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He was the son of the late John and Ida Roland of Marion. His brothers, George, Estell, Carl, James and Nathan; and sisters, Grace Crowder and Virgie Hayden, predeceased him. He was a mason and construction supervisor for over 50 years, including designing and building numerous Baptist churches in Virginia. He was a combat veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife, Anna Iola Hart Rowland; his daughter, DoraLee, and son-in-law, E. Larry Fabian; his three grandchildren, Tammy Pearson Heflin and husband Mark, Jeff Pearson and wife Karen, Kim Pearson Foley and husband Ed Jr.; seven great-grandchildren, Ashley and Bryce Pearson, Amber, Kristen and Shalynn Heflin, and Kayla and Dalton Foley His sisters Shirley Howell of Maryland, Freda Privet of Manassas, Va., Betty McClure of Tennessee, and Rosa Stamper of Marion, survive him. Viewing will be from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2009; visitation from 1-2 p.m. and funeral service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Bradley's Funeral Home in Marion. Reverends Lester Horton and Mike Sage will conduct the funeral service. Burial will follow at McClure Cemetery, with full military honors rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. Pallbearers are Jeff Pearson, Mark Heflin, Ed Foley Jr., E. Larry Fabian, Roy McKinney and Ricky Taylor. The family will receive friends at the Adwolfe Fire Hall following the burial ceremony. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church, Freedom Tabernacle Lane, Atkins, VA. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Rowland family.