WINSTON-SALEM - Mrs. Marjorie Powell Rowdy, wife of the late Rev. Norman Rowdy, joined her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. She was born on August 25, 1922 to the late Albenus and Maybelle Powell in Pembroke, NC. She moved to Winston-Salem, NC in November 1956. She was educated in the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Schools and was employed as the first black salesperson for S. H. Kress Department Store there. She retired from Styrex Industries in High Point, NC and Budd Services in Winston-Salem. She was a faithful and truly committed member of Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church. She was a dedicated member of the Missionary and Deaconess boards, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Charles W. Leak and Pastor Waymon L. Monroe. She was truly a soldier for Christ and never failed to introduce anyone to Jesus. From her union with Rev. Rowdy, 10 children were born, of which three preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory, her surviving children, Ethel R. Livingston, Cardell (Delores) Rowdy, Mary R. (Amos) Griffin, Norman T. (Karen) Rowdy, Patricia (Howard) Ijames, Perry W. (Marcie) Rowdy; her caregivers: granddaughter, LaToya Longmire and grandson, Cory Rowdy; her grandchildren whom she raised in her home, Artissa Rowdy, Kendrick Mitchell, Porsche and Xavier Rowdy. The joy of her last five years was her great-grandchildren, Kameron and Brandon Cornell. Also included in her legacy are 23 grandchildren, and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; a long time family friend, James Edward "JE" Thompson; and a devoted friend, Winfield Milton Jr. The family would like to thank their mother's neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Archie, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gary, Mrs. Joyce Summey and Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Jackson for their love and care. Special thanks the employees of Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home for their kindness and caring of their loved one. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 11 at 1:30 p.m., at the Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church, 3010 Carver School Road with the Rev. Charles W. Leak and the Rev. Waymon L. Monroe officiating with interment to follow at Piedmont Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends from 1-1:30 p.m., at the Church. The family can be contacted at the residence, 2920 Bon-Air Avenue in Winston-Salem. Johnson Home of Memory of Winston-Salem is respectfully serving the Rowdy family.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal on September 10, 2010