Bonnie R. Rowe, 79, of Ironton, went peacefully to Heaven surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. She was the wife of the late Robert L. “Bob” Rowe for 42 years and the daughter of the late William P. and Ethel Waugh Smith.

She was a 1950 graduate of Kitts Hill High School and was a member of Sugar Creek Missionary Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and retired from the Lawrence County Board of Elections. As a past “Lawrence County Citizen of the Year,” she was actively involved with the Ironton Senior Center and will be missed dearly by her friends at the center. In addition to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, relative and friend, Bonnie MOST enjoyed being the #1 cheerleader to her family in all their activities and games.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by three sisters, Nellie Eicher, Mary Dell Fox and Jean Kemp; also three infant sisters.

Bonnie is survived by five children, Jodi (Ray) Collins of Ironton, Jamie (Marty) Murphy of Coal Grove, Robert “Bobby” (Pam) Rowe of Ironton, Jeri (Terry) Holzhauser of Ironton and Joseph “Joe” (Krissy) Rowe of Ironton; 10 grandchildren, Ashley McCloud, Zack Murphy, Jake Murphy, Parker Rowe, Chase Rowe, Peighton Rowe, Nick Collins, David Holzhauser, Emily Holzhauser and Trevor Holzhauser; a special family friend, Viki Taylor Freeman; and a host of relatives and friends

Friends may call today from 5-8 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home from 10-11 a.m. on Monday at the First Church of the Nazarene. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Rob Hale and Pastor Brian Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Sugar Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ashley McCloud, Zack Murphy, Jake Murphy, Parker Rowe, Chase Rowe, Peighton Rowe, Nick Collins and Emily Holzhauser. Donations may be made to the Bonnie Rowe Memorial, c/o Ironton Senior Center 202 S. Second St., Ironton, OH or the Sugar Creek Christian Academy, 4824 State Route 141, Ironton, OH 45638. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.