Jerry A. Rowden, 67, of Athens, died unexpectedly early Friday morning, July 18, 2008, at Athens Regional Medical Center.

A lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Joseph G. Sr. and Margaret Eaves Rowden, and was also preceded in death by one daughter, Kimberly Rowden. He was a member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, where he had served on the administrative board and as head usher. He graduated from McMinn County High School in 1958, graduated from Tennessee Technological University and, following his graduation there, he accepted a job offer with the JM Huber Corporation, Etowah Plant. He later was transferred to the Huber Chemical Division in Havre de Grace, Md. He was there for five years, returning to the Huber plant in Etowah for the remainder of his 40-year career, and retiring in 2003 as operations manager of the company.

He was an original board member of SouthEast Bank & Trust, and he was very involved in civic activities in the McMinn County area, serving as a past chairman of Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, and past president of the Athens-McMinn Family YMCA. He was an avid golfer and had served as past president of Springbrook Golf & Country Club.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Arnold Rowden of Athens; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph G. and Joyce Rowden of Asheville, N.C., and William E. and Joyce Rowden of LaGrange, Ga.; two brothers-in-law, Jack Arnold and George Arnold, both of Dayton; one aunt, Sally E. Connally of Nashville; one uncle, Harry Rowden of Greensboro, N.C.; seven cousins, George Eaves of Savannah, Ga., Farrell Eaves of Signal Mountain, Patsy McAnnally of Nashville, Yvonne Raper of Athens, Butch Raper of Chattanooga, Monte Raper of Athens, and Mary Brock of Knoxville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mike Hubble and the Rev. Jason Gattis officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Jerry Hooper, Ron Penley, Billy Morrow, Watty Smith, Jim Caldwell, William L. Willson, Lawson Breedlove, H.L. Patterson, Sam Keen, Leon Hammonds and Kevin Hammonds. Honorary pallbearers will be the Home Service Class at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, directors of the SouthEast Bank & Trust Board of Directors and JM Huber employees and associates.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Jerry Smith Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Kim Rowden Memorial Fund, c/o Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center, 6307 Lonas Dr., Knoxville, TN 37909.

If you are unable to attend this service or visitation, sign the guest register at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

Jerry Smith Funeral Home of Athens is serving the family of Jerry A. Rowden.

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