Mr. Alton Esau Rowe, age 76, a resident of 1535 Tripp Road, Blounts Creek, NC died Tuesday April 2, 2013 at his home.

A graveside funeral service will be held 12 noon on Friday April 5, 2013 at the Esau Rowe Cemetery in Blounts Creek. The service will be officiated by Pastor David Linton. Pallbearers will be Gerard Rowe, Jonathan Rowe, Danny Taylor, Jimmy Ruffin, Bruce Rowe and Jimmy Spruill. The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.

Mr. Rowe was born in Beaufort County on December 13, 1936 son of the late Esau Dunn Rowe and the late Annie Norman Rowe. He was a 1955 graduate of Aurora High School. Mr. Rowe married the former Josephine Gerard on October 12, 1956 who survives. He was a retired plant operator with DuPont Corp. of Richmond, VA and a member of Edward Christian Church. Mr. Rowe had a heart for other people and a kind word every time you saw him. If you did not know him, read Philippians 2:1-5 and you will know what kind of man he was.

Surviving along with his wife Jo Rowe of the home are a daughter: Amy Michelle Rowe of the home; a son: Gerard Rowe and his wife Cynthia of Blounts Creek; two sisters: Thelma R. Bennett of Blounts Creek and Frances R. Mason of Raleigh and two grandchildren: Jonathan Rowe of Blounts Creek and Katelyn Rowe of Wilmington, NC. Mr. Rowe was predeceased by three sisters: Ola Mae Rowe Brantley, Celia R. Shoosmith and Essie R. Spruill.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests for memorials to be made to Special Needs Baseball, 99 Linwood Lane, New Bern, NC  28560.

Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Rowe family.