Mary "Kay" Alford Rowland

YOUNGSVILLE - Mary “Kay” Alford Rowland moved to her heavenly home on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Born May 19, 1944 to Roscoe Calvin Alford and Kitty Whitaker Alford, Kay spent her early years in Wendell, NC, before moving to Rocky Mount, NC, and graduating from Rocky Mount Senior High School. She married Henry Thaxton Rowland III on December 29, 1962 and was a loving mother to her six children and five grandchildren. Kay shared her love of sewing, decorating, and baking throughout her community and the world. Working in the sewing industry her entire life, she started at Summergrade Textiles, then went to work with Daughtridge Interiors. She then formed Kittys Creations with her mother, Kitty Alford. Her sewing masterpieces touched countless lives and can still be found in various homes and businesses in the Rocky Mount area, and around the country. Kittys Creations will continue with her daughter, Donna Amerson. She poured her heart into her work with the Englewood Baptist Church Drama and Music Ministry, designing and creating the costumes while participating in the choir as well. Children of all ages have been blessed by the many handmaid gifts distributed by Samaritans Purse and the Englewood Baptist Church Missions programs. In the 1970s she took a cake decorating class as a hobby that lead to a successful catering and cake decorating business. Her beautiful, delicious, one of a kind cakes, and expert event planning ensured many weddings and affairs went off without a hitch. Kay came to know her Lord at an early age, and as young woman devoted her life to her Lord. She was passionate about sharing Gods word throughout her community and the world through her missions at both North Rocky Mount Baptist Church, and Englewood Baptist Church. She was a bright example of a true, godly, strong woman. Her faith was the driving force in her life and her life verse was Philippians 4:13 - “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Kay is preceded in death by her father, Roscoe Alford, mother, Kitty Alford, her husband, Henry Rowland III, son, Henry Rowland IV, and daughter, Yvonne “Sissy” Rowland Whitley. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Alford Holland of Wake Forest, N.C., children: Donna Rowland Amerson (Thomas Allen) of Youngsville, N.C. Theresa Rowland Ellis (Bob) of Wilmington, N.C., Phillip Rowland (Heather) of Hampstead, N.C. and Elizabeth Rowland of Raleigh, NC, and grandchildren: Diana Amerson, Ashley Rowland, Ethan Rowland, Andrew Amerson, and Megan Rowland. On Saturday, August 8, 2020, visitation will be at 1pm at Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2pm and a graveside service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park in Rocky Mount, NC. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Englewood Baptist Church Missions at 1350 S. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC, 27803. Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com. Visitation Engelwood Baptist Church 1350 South Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27803 Saturday 8/8, 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm A visitation will be at 1:00 pm at Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC. Service Engelwood Baptist Church 1350 South Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27803 Saturday 8/8, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm A Celebration of Life service at 2pm at Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC. Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804 A graveside service will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park in Rocky Mount, NC.