Mr. Thomas Edward “Ed” Rowland, age 84, of Vidalia, died Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the Community Hospice House in Vidalia, after a brief illness. He was a native of Toombs County, a 1957 graduate of Lyons High School and served seven years in the U.S. Army. He began a career in the convenience store industry in 1965, with Kwickie Foods, Inc in Macon, ultimately becoming vice-president. Later, Mr. Ed founded Grub &Gas Convenience Store and had twelve locations. In 1989, he started Mr. Ed’s Used Cars in Vidalia, which he was still operating. He was a long-time member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and currently a member of Pendleton Springs Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing and classic cars. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy W. Rowland; parents, James Mathis Rowland and Gladys Phillips Rowland; one brother, J.W. Rowland; and two sisters, Margaritte Rowland Usher and Lynette Rowland Joiner.
His family includes three sons, Joe William Davis and wife Katherine of Vidalia, Eddie Rowland and wife Charlene of Smiths Station, Alabama, and Coach Jim Rowland and wife Dena of Sharpsburg, Georgia; one brother, Dale Rowland and wife Brandy of Lyons; seven grandchildren, Maura Davis Smith and husband Ronnie of Lumber City, Leslie Rowland of Phenix City, Alabama, Will Davis and fiancé Valerie Radford of Clarksburg, Tennessee, Miles Abramowitz of Smiths Station, Trevor Rowland of Carrolton, Jacob Rowland and Joseph Rowland, both of Dublin; three great-grandchildren, Lakelee, Jolee, and Chance; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside funeral service will be Wednesday afternoon, May 1st, at 3:00 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens with Pastor Mark Sweat officiating. Entombment will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to Pendleton Springs Baptist Church, 709 Pendleton Cut Off Road, Lyons, GA 30436.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.
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