Lee Rowe, Jr.

Lee Rowe, Jr., 98, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022 in Westerville, Ohio.

Lee was born on April 30, 1923 in Camp Hill, Alabama to the late Levi and Ocie Rowe.

He is preceded in death by sister, Jeanette Casimiro.

Lee is survived by sons, Burdett (Zelma) Rowe, Son, Anthony (Iris) Rowe; granddaughter, Anja (John) Holmes, grandson, Stanley Rowe; and great-granddaughter, Rana Holmes; two nieces, Norma (Jessie) Jenkins and Margaret (Reginald) Warren; four acquired daughters Patsy Jones; Pearlene Holston; Winnie McCoy; Glenda Menniefee and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Rowe received his elementary and secondary education at the Tallapoosa County Training School in Camp Hill. He served his country in the Air Force from 1943-1946 attaining the rank of Sergeant.

In February of 1947, he married Margaret Jones. To this union two sons were born, Burdett and Anthony.

In 1949, Mr. Rowe completed undergraduate studies at Alabama A&M University and in 1953 completed postgraduate studies at Alabama State University with a Master of Education majoring in School Administration and Supervision. While a student at A&M, he became a charter member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

In 1949, he was appointed teaching principal at Wall Street School in East Tallassee, Ala. He taught five classes, coached basketball, performed janitorial and administrative duties. The school was a two-story house with three teachers. At the end of his tenure, 1956-57, the school had gone from a two-story house to a modern block building, that included elementary and high school grades. The staff was increased from three teachers to thirteen.

The Tallapoosa County Board of Education gave him a leave of absence at the end of school year 1956-57. During the leave he went to Atlanta and taught for one year at Archie High School.

Mr. Rowe was appointed principal at Edward Bell School for the school year of 1957-58. Upon becoming principal his major objective was to get the school accredited by the State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Secondary Schools. This was accomplished within two years.

With the help of Mrs. Evelyn Combs Jones, a proposal for a Head Start Program was drawn up and in 1964 the first Head Start Program in Tallapoosa County was started at Edward Bell School. An Adult Education Program, Fishing and Photography Clubs was started during his tenure. The Photography Club took school day pictures for several graduating classes.

Mr. Rowe retired in 1978. In 1984 the Tallapoosa County Board of Education honored him by naming the auditorium at Edward Bell School "Lee Rowe, Jr. Auditorium".

From early childhood to later years, he was active in Sunday School and church. He served as chair of trustees for fifteen years and superintendent of Sunday School for ten years at Murray Chapel AME Zion Church.

Mr. Rowe was always fascinated with boats, motorcycles, and airplanes. He took flying lessons from Chief Anderson, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen and on September 13, 1963 made his first solo flight. He has owned a boat and motorcycle since the early sixties. Mr. Rowe built his first boat from a kit that he ordered from Sears. He and his wife (Margaret) loved outdoor activities which allowed them to buy two farms in Camp Hill. The couple had a large garden and raised cows and hogs on the farms.

Mr. Rowe loved the community of Camp Hill and served as mentors for students and future city and county leaders.