Ellen Johnson Barrett Rowland, 69, of Swainsboro, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after complications due to a long battle of cancer. Memorial service was held Monday, September 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Hawhammock Baptist Church with Pastor Cail Pressey officiating. Family received friends from 9 to 10 a.m. prior to the service at Hawhammock Baptist Church.
Ellen was born July 28, 1955, in Brunswick, to the late Ritchie Ward Johnson and Mathilda “Tilly” Refuge Johnson. She was the youngest of three girls (Mary Jane and Vicky). Ellen graduated from Brunswick High School in 1972 and moved to the Swainsboro area shortly after graduating with her late husband, Danny Barrett. She had one son, Denver "Denny" Barrett II. Ellen enjoyed bowling in her younger years, where she won multiple trophies and awards as both an individual and mixed doubles bowler. She also enjoyed riding motorcycles and spending any spare time with her family. Ellen was the manager at Hardee's in Swainsboro for 17 years. She ran the old location where the courthouse is now and opened the new location that just shut down a few weeks ago. Ellen left Hardee's around 1991 and went to work at Swainsboro High school as a Paraprofessional. She worked there until the late 1990's, then went to work with the Department of Rehabilitation until she retired around 2015.
Ellen’s mother, Tilly, was born in Belgium and came to America as a war bride during World War II. She brought Ellen and her sisters up in the Catholic Church. Ellen attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Brunswick when she was younger. She also attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Swainsboro for several years. Ellen started attending Hawhammock Baptist Church around 1996 and has been a member there ever since. There is nothing she loved more than serving with her church family. You could find her at church helping in any way she could up until her health would not allow her to go anymore. Mrs. Rowland is preceded in death by her parents; and first husband, Denver “Danny” C. Barrett.
Mrs. Rowland is survived by her husband, Mike Rowland of Swainsboro; son, Denver “Denny” C. Barrett, II (Alison) of Twin City; daughter, Melba Waters (Tracy) of Statesboro; grandson; Bryson C. Barrett; granddaughter, Taylor Waters; sisters, Mary Jane Vanderauwermuelen (Johnny) of Belgium and Victoria Moody of Bogart; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: Hawhammock Baptist Church Awana Program, 27 Hawhammock Church Road, Swainsboro, Ga 30401.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.
