On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Freda Rowley passed from this world to the next. Her sweet spirit and gentle way will be missed beyond measure by everyone who knew her. With tremendous courage, Freda battled the cancer inside her body. God was with her in all of it. She was so thankful for His presence and His promises. Jesus is ever faithful. In her last conversation with Amariah, her oldest granddaughter, who was so sad to see her “Mimi” so sick, Freda reminded her, Heaven is real and all the promises of God are true.
Freda was a faithful teacher, counselor, and encourager to all of the staff and students at Christian Fellowship School. Her heart was to help everyone. That was her motive when she did the difficult work necessary to establish the Christian Fellowship School Special Education Department, known as Isaiah’s Hope. Her vision, that she believed was from God, and her determination to see it happen made Isaiah’s Hope a reality. In the past twenty years, Freda and the teachers working with her poured themselves out for one reason: to help the least of these.
The absence of Freda will be overwhelming to everyone at Christian Fellowship School. But the work of Isaiah’s Hope, which started with her vision, will continue to make the education of a multitude of students possible in a Christ-centered learning environment. Freda saw Isaiah’s Hope long before anyone else. What was clear to Freda over twenty years ago, is clear to everyone now. Isaiah’s Hope, the Special Education program of Christian Fellowship School, came directly from the heart of God.
Born Wednesday, November 4, 1959 in Pirmasens, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Sidney Jones and the late Mary “Aggie” (Edwards) Jones. Following the death of her parents, Eddie and Wanda Garland cared for Freda as their own daughter.
Surviving are her husband of 47 years, William Rowley of Benton, KY, daughter, Rachel Scott (Jonathan) of Mt Vernon, IL, parents, Eddie and Wanda Garland of Benton, KY, brothers, Mitchell Garland and Mark Garland of Benton, KY, and grandchildren, Amariah Scott, William Scott, Eliza Scott, Michael Scott, and Silas Scott of Mt Vernon, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Aggie Jones, daughter, Mary Caitlin Rowley, brothers, James Smith, Donald Smith, Roy Smith, and sisters, Mildred Adams, and Rebecca Woodruff.
Funeral service will be held at Christian Fellowship Church on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., Bro. Richie Clendenen and Bro. David Parish officiating. Interment will follow at Marshall Co. Memory Gardens.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Christian Fellowship Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in Freda’s memory to: Special Ed Program, Isaiah’s Hope, 1343 US Hwy 68 E, Benton, KY 42025.