Mary Frost Rowe

Mary Frost Williams Rowe, age 99, of Reynolds Gap Road, Old Fields, WV, passed away Wednesday evening, July 22, 2020, at her residence with family at her side. Born on April 29, 1921, in Moorefield, WV, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Seymour Williams and Anna Mary McNeill Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Daniel Rowe, Sr. in June 2010; a daughter, Anna Mary Frost Williams; four sisters and a brother.

Surviving are two daughters, Mary Margaret Rowe and Jane Rowe (Tom) Stein of Old Fields, WV; two sons, Carroll Daniel (Bev) Rowe, Jr. of Stafford, VA, and John Roderick (Barbara) Rowe of Old Fields, WV; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mary was the second child and first daughter in a family of five children. They lived on a 400-acre farm in the South Fork area. She graduated in 1940 from Moorefield High School, then completed one year in the pre-nursing program at Potomac State College. While there she met her future husband, Carroll Rowe. They were married in 1943. Carroll was drafted into the service during WWII and chose to serve as a Marine. Almost immediately the Marine Corps sent him to Officers' Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, VA. This was the first move for Mary and Carroll, and Mary became an expert in the art of moving. She moved the family 21 times in 30 years during Car­roll’s military career.

Mary was a lovely lady with a wonder­fully kind and generous heart. She loved flowers and flower arranging and became a national judge at flower shows. She worked at an airplane factory in Baltimore, and as a visual aid at UCLA during the war years. Mary Frost, a devout Christian, joined mission trips overseas, distributing Bibles, and helping the poor. She was a proud, active, member of the Daugh­ters of the American Revolution (DAR). “It was hearing about my family’s history,” Mary said, that led to her interest in service organizations, the DAR, and the Colonial Dames (XVII Century). She recalled the stories of her family, passed down through generations, of life in the South Branch Valley, and the hardships they endured. Mary, beloved by her family and the community she served, will be missed by all who knew her. 

Private Graveside Services will be held at the Olivet Cemetery.