ROWLEY, Virginia Mae (Smith)

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Virginia Mae Smith Rowley, 80, died August 6, 2010 at the Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. She was born April 22, 1930 in Sayre, Oklahoma, to Charles M. and Bernice W. Smith. As a young girl, she moved throughout Oklahoma and Kansas with her family.

Virginia graduated from Chickasha High School in 1948. She attended the University of Oklahoma, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the Oklahoma College for Women in 1953, and her Masters degree from Adams State College in 1970.

Virginia married Philip D. Rowley on April 16, 1955 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Philip, and her son-in-law Tim Hogue.

Virginia is survived by her four children; Karen (Jason) Parsons of Murphy, Texas, Jon B. Rowley of Colorado Springs, Susan Rowley of Alamosa, and Steven (Abby) Rowley of Colorado Springs; three grandchildren, Cayce Hogue, Caden Rowley and Kyle Rowley; sister Joyce Allison of Clinton, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law Mary Hoatson-Bayes, Gael Ainsworth, Martha (Jim) Lively, Claudia (Paul) Ward, Lisette (Dick) Young, and brother-in-law Charles Curtis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Virginia began her working career at OG&E in Oklahoma City. Education was her chosen profession. Over the years she held teaching positions in Oklahoma, Michigan, and Colorado, retiring from the Monte Vista Public Schools in 1994.

Virginia was an avid traveler, enjoying many family trips throughout the years. Later in her life, she went on a variety of trips with her sister and sisters-in-law. A milestone that she was particularly proud of was visiting all 50 states.

Music and church were focal points of Virginia’s life. She joined the United Methodist Church in 1941. She was a fervent believer in service to her church, actively participating on numerous committees and worthwhile projects. Virginia loved to sing, lending her beautiful alto voice to groups both large and small, including church choir, Sweet Adelines, and Alamosa’s Vocal Variety. She loved playing the piano as well as listening to a wide variety of music. In addition, she was an enthusiastic member of education and civic groups including AAUW, PEO, and UMW.

In December 2009, Virginia embarked on a new adventure, returning to her native Oklahoma. She established a residence in Edmond at an active adult retirement community where she made many new friends and touched the lives of her new neighbors with her usual grace and kindness.

A Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, August 12, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church, 2115 Mullins Ave., Alamosa, Colo. 81101. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday evening August 11th at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa.

Donations in Virginia’s memory can be made to the First United Methodist Church, to that church’s Beaver Creek Youth Camp Scholarship Fund, PEO Scholarship Fund, or to the American Heart Association in care of Rogers Family Mortuary, 205 State Ave., Alamosa, Colo. 81101.