Dorothy Rowe

Dorothy Lee Rowe nee Rhodes was born August 23, 1930 in West Monroe, Louisiana. She was the oldest child of Louise (Hood) and John Henry Rhodes, Sr. The family moved to Chicago in the 1940s where Dorothy graduated from Fenger High School.

Dorothy married Gerald Thomas Rowe in 1949. Together they had three children, Deborah, Pamela and Patrick.

Dorothy spent several years as a housewife before becoming a Senior Clerk at the Chicago Police Department. She also worked at the Chicago Board of Education.

Dorothy returned to being a housewife after she and Gerald relocated to Belleville, IL where Gerald served as Postmaster for 15 years. Upon his retirement, Gerald and Dorothy moved to Centerville, Ohio to be close to their daughters.

Dorothy remained in Ohio with her grandson, Clay, after Gerald passed. She suffered a moderate stroke March 2022 and subsequently relocated to Elk Grove, CA and then on to Stockton, CA for her final transition.

Affectionately known as Dot, Grandma Dorothy, Mama D and the last of the Red Hot Mamas, Dorothy was loved and cherished by family and friends. She stayed in contact with a host of people across the country via the phone.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, younger brother, John Jr. and middle child, Pamela Grant Mayo

Dorothy leaves to cherish her memories, daughter Deborah Travis-McCargo of Stockton, CA and son Patrick Sterling Rowe Sr (Alice) of Elk Grove, CA.

Additionally she is survived by her grandchildren, Courtney John Travis (Jeannette) of Parkland, FL, Tara Grant Raggi of Buffalo, NY, Clay Levert McCargo, III of Dayton, OH and Patrick Sterling Rowe, Jr (Tamara) of Dallas, Texas. Also, two great granddaughters Kailyn D’Aguiar of Jacksonville, FL and Kynley Rowe of Dallas, Texas and special “grandson” Matthew McDonald of Las Vegas.

Dorothy also leaves behind a sister-in-law, Pearl Rhodes (St. Louis), niece Cheryl Lucius Rhodes and kids of Baton Rouge and nephew Steve Rhodes of St. Louis.

Dorothy also leaves behind special family and friends like Judy Epps (Fremont, CA), Bill Dunns (Chicago), Portia Fuzell-Balkcom (Chicago), Sally Harris (Alexandria, VA), Gezanne Baker (Spring, TX), Ernest McDonald (Las Vegas), Richard L. Rowe III (Columbus, OH), Bobby Mitchell (Los Angeles), Gaye Gerren (Dayton), Penny Rowe (Maryland), Madlin McCargo (New Jersey), and Pastor Daisy Santos (Portland).

Dorothy’s caregiver and close friend, Shelby Proctor, along with her beloved pets Tink, Izzie, Sammie Boy and Pammyam were with her until the end.