ESSARY, Rowena Clair

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday, April 2, 2003 Rowena Clair Essary (94) of New River, Arizona, went "Home" on April 1, 2003. She was born in Bogard, Missouri on August 29, 1908. As a young teen, she moved with her family to Phoenix, traveling in a Model T Ford. Living in a tent city on Jefferson Street when they first arrived, Rowena and her siblings kept cool by swimming in the canals. She attended Phoenix Union High School and worked in the family's grocery store at 10th Street and Washington. She and her husband, Bill, homesteaded in New River aroung 1930, and she has lived there since. The first school in New River was held in the Essary living room, and they were founders of New River Bible Chapel which began in the schoolhouse under the auspices of the American Sunday School Union. Rowena lived the life of a pioneer woman, chopping wood, milking cows, cleaning, cooking, helping run a trap line, riding after cattle, tending a garden, and raising a family. She was a strong woman with an unshakable faith in God. Her steady refrain was "God is in control." Her life was spent serving God and her family, and we know she is home at last with Him. I have made the Lord God my refuge. Psa. 73:28. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Rolston of Tuolumne, California, and Lois Jacka of Heber, Arizona; 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren (and one on the way). Predeceased by husband, Bill; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Sharen; granddaughters, Gina and Misty; and daughter, Pauline Grimes. Services will be Friday, April 4, 2003 at 1:00pm at Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85068. In lieu of flowers contributions to Hospice of Arizona, 222 West Northern, Suite A-100, Phoenix, AZ 85021. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday, April 3, 2003 Rowena Clair Essary, 94, of of New River, AZ, passed away April 1, 2003. Services are 1pm, Fri., April 4, Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ. Contributions: Hospice of Arizona, 2222 W. Northern, Ste. A-100, Phoenix, AZ 85021. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.
Posted by Sharla on January 05, 2010

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