Cover photo for Marilyn Rowden's Obituary
Marilyn Rowden Profile Photo
1947 Marilyn 2015

Marilyn Rowden

April 14, 1947 — June 17, 2015

Marilyn Knisley Rowden A beautiful and wonderful light went out in Kaufman, Texas this week when Marilyn Knisley Rowden went to be with her maker. She was born in Carlesbad, New Mexico to Jim and Jonelle Knisley on April 14, 1947 and moved to Seagraves, Texas where she grew up and graduated from high school in 1965 and then graduated from Texas Tech in 1969. She met her future husband Jerry Rowden in Lubbock and they were married in Dallas in 1973. They moved to Kaufman, Texas in 1977 where he was in the insurance business and they belonged to the First United Methodist Church where she was a loyal and faithful member and sang in the choir. She had a magnificent voice and loved the choir and every member in it. It became the focal point of her life and she excelled in the music. She was a local fixture performing the national anthem at Memorial Day celebrations for many years. She also sang in many local weddings and funerals. She always had a smile on her face and a smile in her heart. She was as beautiful inside as she was outside and she loved people and people loved her. Around town she was known as the nicest most beautiful person you could ever want to meet and would never say a bad word about anyoneexcept maybe Obama. She was a lifelong republican, which she learned from her parents Jim and Jonelle. She and Jerry were married 42 years and had the most idyllic marriage known to man and they were absolute soul mates. They both loved to travel, loved music, literature, movies and loving. They traveled extensively with John and Anne Davidson of Terrell, Texas, Ron and Sandy Rodgers of Mabank, Texas, Tommy Borders and Patty Francis of Kaufman, Texas , and Gene and Missy Lewis of Decateur, Texas. They traveled to Paris at least four times and once stayed a month in Provence. They traveled to Spain with the Davidson's to see the running of the bulls and to, Italy, Portugal, England and Scotland. They traveled locally to Big Bend, Minot, North Dakota and Colorado, where they skied many times with her Dad and numerous friends. She had a long hard bout with cancer which she battled with grace, courage and determination but was eventually overcome by the big C. At the end she felt as in Timothy"for I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have stayed the course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord shall give me that day". She is survived by her mother Jonelle Knisley, her brother Jimmy Knisley and his wife Genell, her husband Jerry Rowden and her son Christian Lee Rowden and a large, large group of friends, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her father James S. Knisley of Seagraves, Texas and her sister Jeannie Pillow of Seagraves, Texas. She was taken from us way too soon and we won't see the likes of her for a long, long time. We Miss You Sweetheart! IN LIEU OF FLOWERS FAMILY HAS REQUESTED MEMORIALS BE TO THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF KAUFMAN.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, June 19, 2015

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Parker-Ashworth Funeral Home

2217 S Washington St, Kaufman, TX 75142

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Interment

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Starts at 12:00 am

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Funeral Service

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Starts at 10:00 am

First United Methodist Church of Kaufman

208 S Houston St, Kaufman, TX 75142

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