Vernon Rowland, 86, of Athens, TN, passed away Monday, January 23, 2012. A lifelong resident of the Athens area, he was the owner and operator of Rowland Plumbing and Electrical for many years and was a member of the Parkway Baptist Church. He was a veteran of W.W. II, serving in the U.S. Navy and was the son of the late Clure and Lena Womac Rowland. He was also preceded in death by a son, Vic Rowland and a sister, Regina Estes. Survivors include a son Phil (Cathey) Rowland, Chattanooga; Buna Mae “Boots” Rowland, Athens, TN; two grandchildren, Dusty (Sheena) Rowland and Erin (Matt) Atchley; two great-grandchildren, Presley and Kensley; sister, Kathleen (Jay) Toomey, Athens, TN; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Ken Clark officiating. Interment will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway.
