Henrietta Rowe

Henrietta Leona Rowe was born on September 6, 1930, in Kansas City, Kansas to her parents, Louis Bowlin and Marguerite Harrison Bowlin. She was the third child born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Louis, Andrew and her sisters, Constance, Cora Mae, Effiestine. Growing up, she enjoyed attending dance school, where she learned Jazz, Tap and Ballet. She loved sharing with all her family because she was raised around family of great cooks. Henrietta received her formal education in Kansas, where she attended North East Junior High School and she graduated from Sumner High School in May of 1945. She met and later married Rudolf Townsend, Sr. when they both lived in Kansas City. To this union, a son they named Rudolph, Jr. and a daughter, they named Valerie was born. They remember their mother as a mother whose pride and joy was found in the care and nurture of her children. She love attending and being a part of all their accomplishments. They shared many happy and precious moments together. When the family relocated to Denver, Colorado, she later wed Gene Z. Rowe. There were no children born to this union and Gene preceded her in death. She was later blessed with three grandchildren, Terrance, Chevonne and Kamilah. They lovingly called her "Momma" and fondly remember all the happy and memorable moments they shared together. She was also the dotting grandmother of 12 great grandchildren, who also were a source of joy and pride in her life. In her early years, Henrietta traveled the world as a music entertainer. She was able to travel abroad to Germany, France, Japan and many places in the United States. She did so working with the late great Nat King Cole. Once she settled in Colorado, she met and began working with Mrs. Fannie Mae Duncan, who the owner of the Cotton Club in Colorado Springs. She moved back to Kansas City to be closer to her family but in 1970, she settled in East Denver and became employed at Lowry Air Force Base in the Food Service Department. She remained there until retiring after many years of service. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Henrietta joined Westminster Baptist Church, when she lived in Kansas City, KS and Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Denver. She truly enjoyed the fellowship shared with both church families and wisdom and knowledge she gained as she studied the Bible. Henrietta was a fun loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time, she enjoyed dancing and listening to music. She carried a bright smile that would light any room she entered. She enjoyed working with arts and crafts and spending quality time with family and friends. She was a strong and determined woman, who led by example. She carried a great sense of humor and was known to be quick witted. She will be missed by all who knew this one of a kind woman, who was truly a "Phenomenal Woman." To know Henrietta was to love her. She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Andrew; sisters, Constance, Cora Mae, Stella, and Effiestine, and a granddaughter, Cyria McGary, who all stood at the gates in Heaven and welcomed her home. Henrietta Leona Rowe departed this life on May 16, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her son, Rudolf L. (Wilhelmina) Townsend, Jr of Aurora, Colorado; her daughter, Valerie Y. (Terrell) McGary of Denver, Colorado; her brother, Louis Bowlin of Kansas City, Kansas; three grandchildren, Terrance M. McGary of Denver, Chevonne D. McGary of Aurora, and Kamilah A. (Rudie) Worlds of Denver; twelve great grandchildren; a sister in law, Charlene Bowlin of Denver; a brother in law, Wilber E. Butner of Kansas City, KA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 5/23/2016 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 5/24/2016 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 5/24/2016 - Following the Service. Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO