Rowena Fern Marris

It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of our cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend Rowena (Ro) Marris. Rowena Fern Johnson (Pollock) Marris was born October 8, 1940, in Julesburg, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Helen Fern and James Hansen Johnson, and had one older brother, Ronald Ernest Johnson.

She is survived by her daughters Adana Louise (Pollock) Conway, her husband Patrick Theodore Conway, Rochester, New York, and Brenda Michelle (Pollock) Grizzle-Dunn, her husband Joseph Matthew Dunn, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Rowena was blessed to have 5 grandchildren Matthew Stephen-Bryce Conway (who preceded her in death 2021), Michael Ryan-James Conway and his fiancé Taylor Moore, Samuel Ryan Grizzle and wife Marina (Goodyear) Grizzle, Paul Michael Grizzle and wife Samie (True) Grizzle, and Grace Michelle Grizzle and her fiancé Camden Long. Rowena had 4 great-grandchildren! Her quiver was indeed blessed by God and was full!

Raised in North Platte, Nebraska, she graduated from North Platte High School in 1958, where she excelled in academics and played the trumpet in the Bulldog’s Marching Band. Following graduation, Rowena moved to Denver Colorado, and attended Parks School of Business. She chose to stay in Denver, marry, and raise her family against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

During this time, she found a church she loved, Glad Tidings Tabernacle, Denver, Colorado, and her faith soared! The Lord brought immeasurable joy and light into her life! She began sharing her faith and time through nursing homes ministries, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, playing the piano and organ on Sunday mornings, driving folks who needed a ride to church, and volunteering in many ways. Without fail, when called upon, she graciously and resoundingly said "Yes"!

Rowena loved music, was a voracious reader, enjoyed a good cup of coffee and conversations with family and friends. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who was always there to offer support, prayerful wisdom, offering unmeasurable love to all she knew. She was so fun to with be with, always sharing her smile and offering a hearty "God Bless you darling".

In 1990, Rowena opened her heart to a second chance at love when she met Roscoe Marris. They shared a mutual love for the Lord, the Native American culture, and music. They were united in marriage on May 23, 1992. Rowena and Roscoe loved the joy and camaraderie the church community brought and attended the Indian Bible Church prior to transitioning to Family Worship Center (FWC) where she and Roscoe attended for more than 20 years. At FWC, both were welcomed with open arms as they worshipped together with great friends. This church family wrote many special chapters in both of their lives, and the spiritual bonds that were created were invaluable. From 2015 to today, this love for God and the church community have provided her support through the death of her life mate, uplifted her during the COVID pandemic, and provided the spiritual zeal for her to conquer breast cancer. Her faith was unwavering, and she fully trusted in God’s healing. Rowena absolutely loved her FWC family!

Roscoe preceded Rowena in death, passing May 2, 2016, having celebrated almost 24 years of marriage together. For the past 8 years mom has longed to be reunited with her friend and companion Roscoe.

On June 3, 2024, Rowena, everyone’s sweet friend and a beacon for the Lord, was welcomed into heaven. Her physical suffering and pain are no longer impairing her health and her ability to move. While she will be greatly missed by us all we know she is no longer in pain. She will be remembered for her strong faith, her love for the Lord, being an avid prayer warrior, and a little bit of old-time Nebraska “spiciness”. She is dancing in heaven with Roscoe in the presence of the Lord!

To honor her beautiful life and commemorate the vast love she spread, a Celebration of Life is being held in her honor at Family Worship Center on June 8, 2024,11:00 am at 6395 South Clarkson Street, Centennial, Colorado, 80121. This celebration will be live streamed, see link below.