Rev. Raymond Ernest Rowland

Reverend Raymond Ernest Rowland, 89, formerly of Morganton, NC relocated to his new mansion in heaven on March 18, 2019 following a short illness.  He was born June 2, 1929 in Nashville, TN.  Raymond was the Valedictorian of the Hume Fogg H.S. class of 1948 as well as Senior Class President, Student Council President, Captain of the football team, and winner of the Civitan Medal.  He was a USAF veteran.

On November 7, 1950, he married Betty Jean Orren of Troutman, NC, whom he met at age 21 while selling Bibles door to door.  Raymond and Betty Jean had three children, all of whom survive:  Michael (Denise) of Crewe, VA, Rick (Brenda) of Danville, VA, and Judi Seggel (Mark) of Olney, MD.  He is also survived by his sister Ruth Masey of Katy, TX, grandchildren William, Sarah and Robert Seggel, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Raymond’s beloved wife passed away on March 30, 2009.  He was also predeceased by brothers John and Arthur, and sister Virginia.

On August 24, 1962, Raymond graduated Cum Laude from Carson-Newman College with a B.S. degree in Chemistry.  He had also attended the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, TN.   Raymond worked for a number of years in pharmaceutical sales, and also as a salesman for the Batesville Casket Company.  Having been an ordained minister in the Baptist faith for a number of years, in 1979 Raymond accepted the call of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to enter the full time ministry.  He pastored several churches in Virginia and North Carolina.  Reverend Rowland was a fine speaker, but his forte was the teaching of the Holy Scripture.  Many people were blessed by his knowledge of the Bible obtained through years of constant, prayerful study.  The last church that Raymond pastored was the Riverside Baptist Church in Morganton, NC, which he led from 1994-2010.

In October, 2010, Raymond moved to an assisted living apartment at the Stratford House Retirement Community in Danville, VA, which allowed him to be near his son Rick and daughter-in-law Brenda.  There at age 81, he found yet another way to be of service to others and to his Lord Jesus Christ.  He taught a weekly Bible study class that was a blessing to residents and employees alike.  He was often asked by many there to pray with them, and he preached the funerals of several of the residents of that facility.  Several local churches invited him to preach, and he was always happy to do so.

When one reflects on the life of Reverend Raymond E. Rowland, the scripture that immediately comes to mind is 2 Timothy Chapter 4 verses 7 and 8: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all of them that love his appearing.”

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Friday, March 22, 2019 at the Sossoman Funeral Home 1011 S. Sterling St., Morganton, NC. Burial will be in the Riverside Baptist Church cemetery and will be private.