Appalachia, VA - Darrell Wayne Rowland, Sr., 80, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN.
Darrell was a lifelong resident of Appalachia, VA. He was on the bridge crew of Interstate and Southern Railroads. He was a big train lover, co-founder of the Lonesome Pine Model Railroaders. He loved flower and vegetable gardening, fishing and was an avid bird watcher. He was a lifetime member of the Appalachia Rescue Squad, having been most proud to deliver two babies. He was a 40-year member of the First Christian Church in Appalachia, VA.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Christopher Matthew Rowland; his parents, Lee and Bernice (Morgan) Rowland; his brothers, James Michael Rowland and Dewey Rowland; his nieces, Patty Lee Cooper and Jordan Rowland; his nephews, Jack Lee Cooper and Michael Rowland; a sister-in-law, Anne.
Darrell is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue Rowland; his children, Matthew Abraham Rowland (Amy Beach) of Appalachia, VA, Heather Lynn Rowland Phillips of the home and Darrell Wayne Rowland, II (Rebecca Collins) of Surgoinsville, TN; his siblings, Ada Lee Rowland Cooper and Patricia Ann Rowland, both of West Palm Beach, FL; his grandchildren, Seth Rowland, Jessica Rowland, Alyssa Hicks, Hope Phillips, Austin Rowland, Sarah Rowland, Lexi Rowland, Derrick Rowland, Lydia Rowland and Parker Rowland; his great grandchildren, Gannon Hicks, Lila Hicks, Salem Fox and Bowie Hensley; his sister-in-law, Betty Rowland; his niece Mary Bernice Wilborn; his nephew, Danny Rowland; a close family friend who Darrell considered a son, Yogi Bowman; and his beloved dog, “Buddy.”
The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 4:00-6:00pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, VA. The funeral service will begin at 6:00pm with Pastor Garrett Lee and Deb Johnson ministering. C.J. Colston will minister in song.
Final arrangements will be private.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Rowland family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.