Lola Tucker Rowland, age 89, a native of Rossville, Ga., and long-time resident of Murfreesboro, Tenn., passed away May 3, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, James L. Rowland of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; her parents, Viola Kelly Tucker and William Abraham Tucker of Rossville, Ga.; two brothers, Edwin H. Tucker of Morristown, Tenn., and Gurney E. Tucker of Shelbyville, Tenn.; one sister, Virginia E. Tucker of Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga.

Mrs. Rowland was a graduate of Lakeview High School in Rossville, Ga. She attended Freed Hardeman College in Henderson, Tenn.

She was employed with Crane Company in Chattanooga, Tenn., and then with TVA in Waverly, Tenn., where she met her future husband. After marriage to James Rowland in 1953, the couple settled in Murfreesboro and lived there for 47 years. Mrs. Rowland worked with the former Home Economics Department at M.T.S.U. (Murfreesboro) as secretary for a few years in the late 1960s and worked for a time as secretary with the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association in Shelbyville, Tenn. She also held a front desk reservation position with Ramada Inn in Murfreesboro, Tenn., as well as a sales associate position with Harvey’s Department Store (later named Peebles).

Mrs. Rowland spent the majority of her time raising her family, transporting her children to school and extracurricular activities, as well as participating in some of them (Webelos Cub Scout Leader) and helping her husband, Jim, in his career breeding, raising, showing, and selling Walking Horses. They traveled with their children extensively across the Southeast region of the U.S. attending Walking Horse Shows and participating in various ways to promote and preserve the breed. These activities continued until Jim passed away in 1999.

In 2001, Mrs. Rowland moved her residence to Winchester, Tenn. Lola Rowland loved the horses and other animals and she loved her family a great deal. She was a strong lady and she put her trust in her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her sweet personality and wonderful sense of humor will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Mrs. Rowland is survived by one sister, Lillian Tucker Bodkin of Rossville, Ga.; four children, Holli (Tim) Corn of Goodlettsville, Tenn.; Phil (Babe) Rowland of Danville, Ky.; Mike (Laura) Rowland of Winchester, Tenn.; and Doug (Kelley) Rowland of Knoxville, Tenn. She was blessed with seven grandchildren: Hewitt Rowland, Catherine Rowland, Sarah Rowland, Ross Rowland, Jesse Corn, Rilee Rowland, and Reid Rowland. In addition she has one great grandchild, Brantley Rowland and many nieces and nephews.

A service celebrating the life of Lola Rowland will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2014 in the Moore-Cortner Chapel. Serving as pallbearers are Hewitt Rowland, Jesse Corn, Tim Corn, Jim Guider, James Tidmore, Eddie Bodkin, and Joe Mullican. Burial followed in Smotherman Cemetery, Bell Buckle Tenn. The family would like all of Lola’s family and friends to know that in lieu of flowers, they may make a donation in her name to Estill Springs Church of Christ, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Kidney Foundation.