Norma Lucille Rowland

Norma Lucille Rowland, 89, of Midland, was called home on Thursday, June 27, 2024, surrounded by family. The family will hold a Celebration of Life Service for Norma and her beloved husband, Rev. David R. Rowland, on August 1 at 1:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of College Station, Texas.

Affectionally known as “Memaw” to her grandkids, she was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, and friend. She was a favorite of her nurses and caregivers at The Village at Manor Park. She loved her family and friends with a big heart and a little bit of sass.

Norma served alongside her husband, David, of 71 years, supporting him from his seminary days to his retirement. While David attended seminary, Norma worked part-time doing bookkeeping and typing his papers. She recalled bouncing their first child on her lap while typing David’s papers. When David began his ministry at the First Baptist Church of College Station, Norma served on committees—her favorite committee oversaw the decorations and plants for the sanctuary. She was known for her work decorating the sanctuary at Christmas. In her later years, she sent birthday cards each year to every senior adult in David’s ministry.

Norma served for 24 years as the teacher for 3-year-old children in the First Baptist Church of College Station Day Care Center. She nurtured hundreds of children and showed them the love of Jesus. Her daughters remember helping her with Easter Egg hunts and field trips to petting zoos. Through her work with these children, Norma modeled not only how to care for young children, but also how to be a working mom. Her daughters are forever grateful for the lessons they learned from a working mom.

Norma will be missed, but her legacy lives on in her daughters and grandchildren. They are grateful for the hundreds of cards and letters sent over a lifetime. Her daughters will always remember the daily letter they received as freshman in college. Her grandchildren will forever remember the holiday and birthday cards she sent with a fresh five-dollar bill enclosed. We will all miss her wisdom, sense of humor, laughter, and love. We were blessed to have her as a mother and grandmother.

Norma is preceded in death by her husband, David R. Rowland. Norma is survived by her two daughters, Brenda Sims and husband Bill, of McKinney, Texas, and Melissa McCarroll and husband David, of Midland, Texas; three grandsons, Brandon McCarroll, Patrick Sims, and Matthew McCarroll; and five great grandchildren.

The family thanks the staff of Cowden Cottage at The Village at Manor Park for the love and care provided to Norma. We are forever grateful for how you made her final days fun.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the David and Norma Rowland Endowed Scholarship in Truett Seminary at Baylor University. Donations may be given online at Baylor University or mailed to Baylor University Advancement, One Bear Place #97050, Waco, TX 76798. This scholarship honors their life-long dedication to church ministry and will help young ministers pay for their education.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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