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Frances Elizabeth Proffitt Rowell

1925 - 2022

Frances Elizabeth Proffitt Rowell obituary, 1925-2022, Bristol, TN

FUNERAL HOME

Oakley Cook Funeral Home

2223 Volunteer Parkway

Bristol, Tennessee

Frances Rowell Obituary

Frances Elizabeth Proffitt Rowell

Frances Elizabeth Proffitt Rowell, age 96, was born on November 2, 1925, in Sullivan Country, Tennessee, and passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at her home in Bristol, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma Russell Proffitt and Albert Lawrence Proffitt; her husband of 57 years, Joseph Waverly Rowell; and her brother, Al Proffitt.

After graduating from Tennessee High School, she continued her education at Virginia Intermont College and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Home Economics from the University of Tennessee where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and was honored for academic excellence as a member of The Mortar Board and Phi Kappa Phi.

On September 11, 1948, she was married to Joseph Rowell. They lived in several cities while he pursued his career in professional baseball. In 1952, they established their home in Bristol. Frances loved Joe more than anything in this world. Together they had an incredible life. After settling down in Bristol, in addition to everyday life, they enjoyed camping with their four boys, and after Joes' retirement, many years of travel in their motor home. They also took the entire family (19 at one time) on multiple cruises and vacations.

Frances was a wonderful mother, cook, talented homemaker and grandmother. And not a bad tennis player. She was devoted to the Lord and her church and making sure her family was there every Sunday. She loved her sons, their wives, grandchildren and great grandchildren immensely. Frances remained active well into her '90's enjoying walking, travel, visits with the neighbors and bridge with her many friends. She was able to transition from her earthly life exactly as she had prayed for, in her own bed, in the home she and Joe built for the family in 1955. Our family is so grateful.

Mrs. Rowell's interests were mostly in her four sons and their families. As a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, she enjoyed working with the youth there. She was a former member of the Border Guild/Junior League of Bristol, the Blue Stocking Club and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. She was an active member of the 1900 Literary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Survivors include her four sons, Joseph Stephen Rowell and his wife, Nancy, of Winston-Salem, N.C. and their daughter, Kathryn and her husband, Brenton and their son, Jeff and his fiancée, Annie; Albert Brent Rowell and his wife, Phantipa "Al" of Lexington, Ky., and their daughter, Andrea; John Waverly Rowell and his wife, Kathleen of Valle Crucis, N.C. and their children, Grey and his wife, Maria, Logan and his wife, Caroline, and Thomas; and David Francis Rowell and his wife, Lisa, of Winston-Salem, N.C. and their children, Michael and his wife, Jessica, Emily and her fiancé, Jack, and Nathan; four great-grandsons, and a great-granddaughter due in July.

Frances will be laid to rest beside her beloved Joe following a private committal service in Glenwood Cemetery. Her life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Sam Weddington and the Rev. Dr. Dave Welch officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall. The family requests that masks be worn.

The love and devotion she received from her caregiving angels, Debbie Lowry, Barbara Good, Donna White and Sheila Frasier, and Becky and David Luther and her other amazing neighbors and friends.

In lieu of food and flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, The Salvation Army, or the Joe and Frances Rowell Scholarship Fund at Wake Forest University.

Mrs. Rowell and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tennessee, Telephone 423-764-7123. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.Oakley-Cook.com.

Published by Bristol Herald Courier from Jan. 24 to Jan. 30, 2022.
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Francis was the most lively, loving, fun, cousin-in-law that anyone could imagine!!! I still miss her and Joe immensely!! My greatest memory is the way she pronounced my name with her Tennessee accent !
Ellen became "Alen", or something close to that....I loved it!!!

Ellen Bell O´Neill

Family

January 18, 2024

Ellen and Don O'Neill

February 4, 2022

God Bless

Windy Frasiet

February 4, 2022

To the Family of Frances Elizabeth Proffitt Rowell
Please accept our sincere condolences on behalf of Mortar Board. Frances was a loyal life member and supporter. We were proud of her accomplishments in life, as we know her chapter at the University of Tennessee was. She brought honor to us all, and she will be missed.
With sincere sympathy,
Kristen Freeman Fox, PhD
Executive Director

Kirsten Freeman Fox, PhD

February 2, 2022

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. She was
a special person and great sister-in-law. My love
to all of you. Gail

Gail Proffitt

Family

January 30, 2022

God Bless

Windy Frasier

January 30, 2022

To the Rowell family, please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your mother.
I have so many special memories of her and your father.
She was a wonderful friend and neighbor. She will be missed .
Prayers for your family´s healing.

Danea Walters

Friend

January 24, 2022

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Memorial Events
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5

Committal

11:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church

TN

Funeral services provided by:

Oakley Cook Funeral Home

2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN 37620

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