Shirley (Wilkinson) Rowland

Shirley Wilkinson Rowland (87) entered the final stage of her life long journey to heaven when she passed away on April 7, 2022.  She fought the good fight, she finished the race, and she kept the faith.  She is now reunited with all of her family and friends who have passed before her.  Shirley was born, on September 10, 1934, in Narrows, VA. She graduated from Narrows High School and attended Longwood College.  Shirley was a lifelong resident of Giles County where she played the organ and directed the choir at the First United Methodist Church in Rich Creek, VA, the First Presbyterian Church in Pearisburg, VA, and the First United Methodist Church in Narrows, VA.  She also served as the organist at Riffe’s Funeral Home in Narrows, VA for over 40 years.    Shirley’s wonderful personality, comforting smile and great sense of humor will be missed by those who knew her best.  She never failed to have something kind to say to everyone she met.  Shirley was preceded in death by her father Cecil Byron Wilkinson, her mother Kathryn Spencer Wilkinson and her brother Byron “Pete” Wilkinson.  She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years B.W. Rowland, her son Keith Rowland (Kelly), Blacksburg, VA and daughter Karen Chang, Corpus Christi, TX; grandchildren Amanda (Shanon) Buckingham, Rachael Chang, Kaitlyn Olsen, and Ryan Chang; and great grandchildren Camden and Brodie Buckingham.  Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, April 10, 2022, at 4pm at the First United Methodist Church in Narrows with the Rev. Doug Armstrong officiating with burial following in the Fairview Cemetery in Narrows.  The family will receive friends at the church from 2 – 4pm prior to the service.  The family is most grateful to everyone who kept her in their thoughts and prayers over the past few weeks.  They would also like to thank the medical staff at Carilion Giles Community Hospital in Pearisburg, who provided such wonderful care for her.  In lieu of flowers, please consider the Memorial Fund of the First United Methodist Church in Narrows or any preferred charity. The family is being served by Givens-Riffe Funeral Service in Narrows, Va., (540)726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.

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