Mary Bell Raby Rowland

Franklin, NC - Mary Bell Raby Rowland, age 86, of Ray Creek Road, Franklin, NC, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at her residence. She was a native of Macon County, the daughter of the late Charles and Ella Reeves Raby. She was a homemaker and a member of Oakdale Baptist Church. She was married to the late Carol Henry Rowland, who passed away June 15, 2009.

She is survived by two sons, Henry Cecil Rowland and James Curley Rowland both of Franklin, NC; four sisters, Ellen Ray of Franklin, NC, Thelma Welch of Kingsport, TN, Grace Maxwell of Danville, Virginia and Kathy James of Florida, a number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Peggy Carolyn Rowland, brothers, Austin, Garman, Sam, Joe and Cecil Raby, sisters, Kate Tallent, Lola Mae Rowland, Ann Jackson, Oma Rick and Fannie Burrell.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 24th at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Bryant-Grant Funeral Home, with Rev. Guy Duvall officiating. Burial will be at Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Paul Higdon, Mike Roper, Freddie Raby, Eddie Raby, Bert Raby, Larry Raby, Dana Welch, Bill Queen and Ronnie Roper.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 till 2:00pm Saturday, two hours prior to the service at Bryant-Grant Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Oak Dale Baptist Church, c/o Linda Higdon, 5650 Upper Burningtown Road, Franklin, NC 28734. Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.