By Staff
Mr. Rowell Lane, 98, passed away peacefully at the Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Greensboro, after an illness of three months, on December 7, 2008, with family members by his side.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday December 11, 2008 at the Masonic and Eastern Star Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Masonic Cemetery.
Originally from Rutherford County, Mr. Lane was educated at Sunshine High School and Gardner Webb University. He then earned B.A and M.A. degrees from Wake Forest University and later a B.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as an active-duty officer in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and later retired a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force Reserve. Mr. Lane served in a variety of secondary education posts throughout North Carolina, including stints as Principal of Engelhard, Marion, Kings Mountain and Middleburg Schools, retiring from the State Education System after the last. As a Southern Baptist Minister, he served as pastor of Rose Bay (Swan Quarter), Middleburg and Raleigh Road (Henderson) Baptist Churches. He retired as Pastor Emeritus from Raleigh Road. He served as Grand Chaplain and Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of North Carolina. He was an active member of the Masonic Order and the Order of the Eastern Star until his recent illness. At the Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Greensboro, he was active in the religious program and in helping those who needed his physical and emotional strength. He worked in his flower and vegetable gardens even as his illness sapped the last of his stamina.
Mr. Lane is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Hazel Asby Lane; sons, Robert Harold Lane and wife Eleanor of Houston, TX and James Branch Lane and wife Sheila Keane of Portland, OR; sister, Ruth Bost of Greensboro; brothers, Daniel Lane and wife Dale of Chesapeake, VA and David Lane and wife Lorna of Greensboro; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.
The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, one hour prior to the service, from 2 until 3 p.m., in the Linville Parlor, through the main entrance of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to ESTARL Scholarship c/o Julia M. MacIntosh PGM, Grand Secretary, P.O. Box 5516, Kinston, NC 28503.
Hanes-Lineberry Vanstory Chapel has the honor of assisting the Lane family.
On-line condolences may be made at www.MeM.com.
Paid Obituary