Marcia O. Rowland

Marcia and Junior Rowland passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023 after a tragic motor vehicle accident. The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Kincannon Funeral Home. Services will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 16^th, at First Baptist Church – Altus with Dr. Jeff Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Altus City Cemetery under the care of Kincannon Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Marcia Oneida Netherton was born on September 29, 1947, to Zee and Dorothy (Wicker) Netherton in Altus, Oklahoma. She lived on the family farm north of Blair. As a young girl they moved to Altus and she began attending Altus Public Schools, graduating with the Class of 1965. Marcia learned to play the piano, accordion, and then took dance lessons; but according to Marcia she was never very good at any of them because she didn’t enjoy having to practice. She and her sister, Carolyn, were talented enough to attend the local music conventions where Carolyn played the piano to accompany Marcia as she sang. Marcia enjoyed being a member of the vocal music groups throughout her school years.

Bedford Forrest “Junior” Rowland, Jr. was born on January 7, 1946, to Bedford Forrest, Sr. and Mable (Talley) Rowland in Altus. As a boy, Junior and his family lived in Tipton for a time. After returning to Altus, Junior attended Altus Public Schools graduating with the Class of 1964. Junior was a very talented pilot, aircraft mechanic, auto mechanic, guitar player, and singer.

Marcia and Junior were high school sweethearts and married on November 26, 1964 during Junior’s senior year and Marcia’s junior year of high school. After graduation Junior went to work as a mechanic as Marcia continued high school. To this union of 59 years two children were born, Casey (1966) and Cindy (1968). Marcia and Junior seldom spent a night part from one another throughout all those years. They were a wonderful example of love, partners, faithful companions, and Christians. Family truly was the greatest love and joy in their lives.

From the time Junior was a young boy he worked alongside his dad, “Row”, learning and mastering the profession of auto mechanic. He and his father became partners in the business and his brother, Jasper, later joined the partnership. Junior decided to change his career path and began his college education. As Junior attended a full load of college courses, he maintained a full-time job and the role of Dad, doing all as well as could be done. He eventually graduated with a master’s degree in education and went on to impact the lives of many people. He was a husband, father, teacher, friend, and a leader in his profession. Brother Rowland’s Masonic history does not do justice to the time and attention that he provided to the many facets of the fraternity that he was involved with, nor benefit his labors to the fraternity in general. He performed duties in various esteemed roles at the Lodge and District levels in multiple Masonic Bodies. The Grand Lodge recognized Junior’s contributions to the fraternity in 2018 with the Masonic Medal of Honor.

Marcia was a full-time homemaker and mother until Casey and Cindy began school at which point, she decided to further her education. Marcia, Sharon Cope, and Jackie Morey all began a full load of courses at Western Oklahoma State College and then onto Cameron University for their bachelor’s degrees. Marcia continued at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and graduated with a master’s degree in education. She was a 2^nd grade classroom teacher at Rivers Elementary in Altus for 18 years before becoming the school counselor for another 12 years at Rivers Elementary and Will Rogers Elementary. Marcia kept up with the many past students and as always, encouraged them to succeed and be the best people they could be! Marcia was a perpetual member of the Altus order of the Eastern Star.

They raised their children to be wonderful, loving, and productive adults. Marcia and Junior were hardworking, honest people. When you were befriended by either of them, the relationships were meant to last a lifetime. Marcia’s best friend, Sharon Carroll DeWeese Cope, from childhood, remained throughout her entire life. The two were as close as sisters and Sharon will forever be a member of the Rowland family. Junior has many great friends, and they will never be forgotten. Both Marcia and Junior were members of the First Baptist Church in Altus and had accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. They were fortunate to get to travel to many places, making each trip a grand adventure. Whether it was just the two of them, or with others, they knew how to have fun and appreciate the sites.

Marcia and Junior were preceded in death by Marcia’s parents, Zee and Dorothy Netherton; Junior’s parents, Row and Mable Rowland; siblings, Carolyn Netherton Into, George “Bud” Netherton, and Daphne Rowland Hughes; brothers-in law, Jim Crossland, Coy Allen, Mike Hurley, and Richard McMinn; nephew, Wade Crossland; and both maternal and paternal grandparents.

The loving couple of 59 years are survived by their children, Casey Rowland and wife, Donna and Cindy Wilson and husband, Steve; siblings, Jasper Rowland and wife, Shirley, Lynn Rowland and wife, Pat, Steve Rowland and wife, Barbie, and Tamye Rowland McMinn; nine grandchildren, Bryan Farrington and Tannah, Clay Farrington and Brandie, Shelia Rowland, Talley Brooks, Tyler Yocham and Jessica, Steven Wilson and Brenda, Rebekah Krencicki, Stephanie Wilson, and Jordan Wilson and Alexis; 28 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.