The 47th Rowe Family Reunion was held Sun., June 25, 2017 in the Community Room of the Massey VFD in Massey, Alabama. John and Helen Rowe and Jean Rowe Tankersley organized the first reunions and the tradition continues today. Those attending are the descendants of John Pickens (Pick) Rowe and Mattie Ella Rowe, known to the family as Big Papa and Big Mama. Family members gathered Sunday to share memories and enjoyed looking through the Rowe Family scrapbooks kept by Ruth Clark Thompson for many years. They also enjoyed eating the delicious food, catching up with all that has happened in the past year (both happy and sad), and watching the next generation at play.

Why the Rowes came to Falkville: Pick and Mattie moved their family to Falkville in 1899, to give the children a chance to attend school at Falkville Normal College as it was known as one of the best schools around. They came from Harpersville, Ala., Shelby County, moving by mule and wagon with the cows tied behind the wagons. The wagons were loaded with farm equipment and household furnishings. Jeff Rowe and Paul Rowe helped drive the wagons while the rest of the family came with other belongings by train from Birmingham. Rebecca Ann (Annie) Rowe, Pick’s mother and a widow, came with them and lived with them until her death in 1901. She is buried in the Falkville City Cemetery, as have been many other family members over the years.

The family farmed and Pick operated a general store with a printing press in the back. This press printed the Falkville Chronicle. Paul Rowe, as a child, helped a Mr. Fred Harris set print all done by hand. Also his job was to keep all the type separated and the letters in their proper place. (Note: The store was located on the corner of the lot where the Falkville Fire Dept. stands in 2017)

Pick was a shrewd and respected merchant and landowner. Around 1917, Pick had the Falkville Milling Company built on the lot to the north of his store for him and his son, Paul. The builder was Sterling Sams. The mill was a very large three story frame structure with a tin roof. After Paul and Minnie Fuqua married they wanted to move to the Courtland area. At this time Sterling Sams was helping to operate the mill (flour mill), so Paul sold his half of the mill to Powell Rowe, his brother. Powell did not want to keep his half and Pick could not run it alone, so they sold it all to Sterling Sams and his son, Clarence, sometime before 1920.

From Pick’s obituary: “The prominent and beloved pioneer citizen had moved to Falkville in 1899 where he became a leading merchant and farmer up until his retirement some years ago. After his retirement from business, Mr. Rowe continued as a civic and religious leader of his community. He was a member of Falkville Baptist Church where he taught the men’s Bible class.”

J.P Rowe ~ Feb. 26, 1862 – Dec. 3, 1955

Mattie Johnson Rowe ~ 1862 – 1938

Members of First Baptist Church Falkville celebrated with a pre-July 4 dinner in the Fellowship Hall on Sun., June 2 following the 10 a.m. worship service. Each person brought their favorite dish of food to share.

Fairview-the Grace Place held a pre-July 4 picnic following the 9 a.m. worship service on July 2. The picnic was held in the tent where they dined on hamburgers, hot dogs and side dishes.

Sunny days are extended to Charlotte Wise from Jeanne Blackmon.

Scam alert: your phone rings and they ask, “Can you hear me?” They use this trick to see if they have made a call to a live person. They are trying to get you to give them all of your personal information. Always hang up and do not say a word. I have gotten two such calls and I have hung up. If you have caller I.D. and know who is calling, never answer the phone.

Prayer list: Ronna and David Halbrooks and Raymond and Karen Banks.

Belated wedding anniversary wishes are extended to Rev. Wayne and Gloria Penn. Their special day was June 6.

Members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church wish to extend their thanks to those who supported their annual golf tournament that was held at Quail Creek Golf Course on July 1.