Rowanna Howard Cassis

Rowanna Howard Cassis passed away November 10 in Charleston, WV. She was the third child of six born to Ganim and Edna (Cassis) Howard, Sr.. Her father immigrated from the mountain village of Aitha, Lebanon at the turn of the 20th century and because of the West Virginia mountains, settled in Charleston, where they owned several businesses in the grocery and real estate areas. Rowanna was a member of the St. George Orthodox Cathedral Ladies’ Guild and the Eastern Star. She was a 1947 graduate of Charleston High School and loved to read and work crossword puzzles. She was predeceased by her husband, master electrician and 33rd degree Mason Moses Lee Cassis, parents, and siblings, sisters Eleanor Howard and Evelyn Bardwell, and brothers Ganim “Jay” Howard, Jr. and Victor Howard. Rowanna is survived by her children Cindi Cassis Branham (Dr. David) of Huntsville, AL, Dr. Bruce L. Cassis (Eva Rahall) of Fayetteville, Candy Cassis of Charleston, and Pam Cassis Hughes of Fayetteville; and her brother Essa (Beverly) Howard and sister-in-law Peggy Howard. Also surviving are several grandchildren: Lee (Molly), Philip (Elizabeth), Louie, Dr. Daniel (Dr. Emily), David Cassis; Mariah, Matthew, Jennifer Minotti, Sarah Riemenschneider (Mat); Keaton and Tyler Hughes as well as great-grandchildren (Orion, Jacey, MaKenzie, Alex, Philip, Jr., Grant, John David, Eva Charlotte, Abram, and two on the way). She is survived by many, many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank her caregivers for their loving attention: Thea Edens, Cindy Gibson, and Dr. Nick Cassis (nephew) and his staff. Visitation with the family will be Monday, November 14 from 5 to 8 pm with a Trisagion service at 7:30. Funeral services will be at 11 am Tuesday, November 15 following a visitation at 10 am. All services will be held at St. George Orthodox Cathedral at the corner of Court and Lee Streets in Charleston. Graveside services will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Father Christopher Eid, Father Stephen DeYoung, and Very Reverend Olof Scott will preside. Pallbearers will be her eight grandsons. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory go to St. George Orthodox Cathedral, PO Box 2044, Charleston, WV 25301.