James Ray “Buddy” Rowland, Sr.: 1931-2025

VICKSBURG, Miss. — James Ray “Buddy” Rowland, Sr., was born on June 2, 1931, to Melba Pettway  Rowland and Samuel Elbert Rowland in Oak Ridge, Mississippi.

Buddy had an infectious smile and a sharp humor that always brightened a room. He graduated from Redwood High School in 1949, where he played football and basketball. He began working for the Illinois Central Railroad, earning the nickname “Smoky.” The same year, he married the love of his life, Margaret Ann Jones, on June 22nd, 1949. Buddy worked for the ICRR for 44 years, starting as a coal worker and retiring as a locomotive engineer in 1993.

Buddy frequently played pool and bingo at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, once earning a state championship title in pool. He also coached Little League and Dixie League baseball, supporting his children and grandchildren in their activities.

After retiring, he loved being Granddaddy and Big Daddy to his thirteen grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren. He loved living on his land in Bovina, where he welcomed everyone to his front porch and always served Blue Bell ice cream. He was a charter member of the Bovina Cafe, where he was lovingly known as the Mayor of Bovina. He was a member of Bovina Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Melba and Samuel Rowland, his grandson, Tyler Townsend, and sisters, Thelma McLaughlin, Clyde Ruth Nosser, and Billie Craft.

 Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 76 years, Margaret Ann, his children, Sandra (Larry), Becky (Ken), Raye (Robert), JR “Bubba” (Donna), Michel (Monty) and Zach.

 His grandchildren are Mitch Oakes, Brian Oakes (Bridgett), Cristi Wolfe (Nick), Milli Wolfson (Jason), Andy Oakes (Carrie), Ben Jernigan (Hannah), Jay Rowland (Tammy), John Reeder, Jeff Jernigan, Wesley Rowland (Maggie), Sam Reeder (Lezlie), Zach Rowland. His great-grandchildren, Ranson Oakes, Emmaline Davis (Luke), Chandler Houston, Dawson Oakes, Briley Oakes, Merritt Wolfe, Landon Oakes, Bram Wolfe, Malin Wolfson, Braidynn Jernigan, Karr Jay Wolfe, Izzie Oakes, Hadley Wolfson, Aben Jernigan, August Wolfson, Colt Rowland, Asher Jernigan, Easton and Cooper Rowland, Meilani Jernigan, Skyler and Madison Connelly, John Robert Reeder, Charlie Reeder and Ryan Reeder  and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 18 at 11 am at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the hour of service. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.

 Pallbearers are the grandsons and cousin Alex Rowland. Honorary pallbearers are Monty Bexley, Wesley Nichols, Jim Horn, Chuck Schneider, Brian Parks, and Jeff Skipper. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Baptist Children’s Village of Ridgeland.

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