Mrs. Wilma Kate Rowe age 95 of, Ellijay, died Friday September 9, 2016.

She was born September 9,1921, in Chattanooga, TN the daughter of the late John Howard and Annie Lou Borders Rowe.

Wilma worked with preschool children most of her life. She began a small program at North Peachtree Baptist Church, for 3yr old, 4yr, old and 5yr olds. It soon turned into a large program of over 200 students.

After finishing her degree at Oglethorpe University, she became the director of the 4 yr old program at Canterbury Schools in Atlanta. She worked there until she was 83 yrs old.

After retirement she volunteered at Kids Ferst Gilmer County, the Craddock Center, and reading with Preschool Children of Ellijay Primary. You could say she had a lot of wisdom about children. She made each child in her care feel that they were special and they were never to give up on their dreams. She would say: “To each of us in the community, county, country each child has a gift and they are in need of the protective jacket of a good childhood”.

Survivors include: children and spouses; Linda and John Jarrard, Ellijay, Dr. Debbie A. and Dr. Joseph Wilkes, Atlanta, Joseph Carlton Lipham, Johns Creek, Dr. John G. and Eleanor Lipham, Chapel Hill, NC, 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, brothers and sister-in-law; Howard Allison Rowe, Smyrna, James W. and Doris Rowe, Atlanta.

A family celebration is planned.
Online condolences may be at www.bernhardtfh.com.

Bernhardt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.