James H. Rowlett transferred to heaven peacefully on November 27, 2018 in Smyrna TN. He was born on January 17, 1938 in Woodbine TN, to William Henry and Delia Mae Rowlett. When he was nine years old he moved to a 20 acre farm in Antioch, TN because his father wanted to raise his sons and daughter in country. James was a strong, healthy 250 pound athlete and he played football for Antioch High School, James excelled at football receiving two scholarship offers from Mississippi State and from Austin Peay, James married the love of his life Barbara instead. He Barbara met when he was just 9 and she was 3 at Hamilton UMC. Barbara was crawling under the pew his family was sitting on trying to make her to the back bench to get candy from an elder member. James and Barbara were church friends until James was 21 and Barbara was 16, after a year they married. As they began their marriage they had a lot of jobs and a lot of fun together, James worked several jobs at one time. James worked several different jobs including the Sheriffs department, various construction sites and the Air National Guard until he began working Toledo Scales where he succeeded and shorty thereafter started his own scale business. Then on June 28, 1970 James attend a church service at Hamilton UMC where he made a commitment to let Jesus Christ become his Lord and Savior. James fell in love with Jesus. James joined the ministry soon after where he served for nearly 50 years. He always told others about the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ and how Jesus would Bless and change their lives. James' excitement about this life changing experience allowed him to lead many others to Jesus. James had two sons Jimmy and John, James loved being a father and often said “Boys are Joy”. This was a positive attitude because his boys could be more than a handful. Throughout his working years Barbara and James became inseparable. She worked by his side in his scale business and his ministry. He loved her and always wanted to have her by his side. In their retirement years they spent a lot of time vacationing in the Smoky Mountains, when they’re health declined and they made the decision to move into assisted living. The staff fell in love with them as they walked through the facility showing their deep love for one another. Even though James struggled with clear thought, his love for Jesus spoke clearly through his spirit as he talked with his friends at the Waterford. As recent as a week prior to his death he was observed straitening Barbara’s sheets and blankets to assure she was comfortable. Despite his failing health he wanted to make sure Barbara was taken care of more than himself.
He is preceded in death by his father William Henry Rowlett, Mother Delia Mae Rowlett, son John Rowlett, brother-in-law Jim McIntosh.
James is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Barbara Rowlett, son Jimmy (Dee) Rowlett, Brother Hebert (Jean), sister Mabel McIntosh, niece Vicki (Jimmy) Jordan and Nephew Billy (Tonya) Rowlett. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Avalon hospice or St. Jude Children's Hospital.
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