Rowe Readous Motley

Rowe Readous Motley
Rowe Readous Motley, 84, of Charlotte, passed away on November 12, 2010. Rowe was born in Prattville, Alabama on April 29, 1926 to Jeroma and Andrew Jackson Motley, as the ninth of ten children.
Rowe graduated from high school in Prattville, Alabama and joined the US Navy for two years. He then attended A&T State University in Greensboro, NC, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. After college, Rowe served in the US Army as Range Officer, Advance Party Officer to Germany for his military company, and Information and Education Officer. Prior to his honorable discharge in 1952, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Rowe returned home to his loving wife, Alma and their children, and worked at the US Post Office. In 1964, he formed Motley Realty and Insurance. He also formed Motley International, an exporting company that specialized in grain, rice and shoes. He also created Graham Research, which received a Federal grant to study radioactive materials. This research led to a patent for a prototype to decontaminate radioactive materials.
From 1974 to 1976, Rowe was elected Mecklenburg County's first Black County Commissioner at large. He also chaired the National Democratic Black Caucus and was the first Black National Democratic Committeeman from North Carolina to the Democratic National Committee. He was appointed by Governor James Hunt to head the 1980 Census Bureau for the Eastern Region. In 1980, he served as State Senator for North Carolina's 22nd District. At the end of his political service, Rowe served on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning and Zoning Commission from 1990 to 1998.
In addition to politics, Rowe found several ways to get involved in his community. He coached Little League Baseball, was involved in Boy Scouts and coached a golf league at a local elementary school. Rowe was also a founding member of the CW Williams Community Health Center, established in 1981. Rowe was also an active member in the North Carolina Chapter of the National Guardsmen, The Nomads, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and a Mason of Rameses Temple No. 51. Rowe was an avid golf player for forty years. He was also a dedicated member of Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church, where he was involved in many facets of the church, primarily the Steward Board.
Rowe is survived by his wife, Alma; four sons, Michael and wife, Diane, David and wife Veronica, Ronald and girlfriend Sherita, Gregory and wife, Tracey and one daughter, Kym. He is also survived by sisters Gwendolyn Little of Detroit, Michigan and Estelle Rutledge of Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 16 at 12:00 p.m. in Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church, 531 North Campus Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28216.
Long & Son Mortuary Service is serving the Motley Family.