Gail Rowland

On February 2, 1936, Gail Rowland was born in Elcomb, Kentucky in Harlan County to Fountain Fox Rowland, Jr. and his wife Mildred. Throughout her life she enjoyed reminding people that her birthday was on Ground Hog Day.

Gail went to Cardome Academy, an all-girls Catholic boarding school in Georgetown, Kentucky. She enjoyed her time there and graduated in 1954 as one of the top students in her class.

After Gail received a degree in nutrition from the University of Kentucky, she worked in the Harlan County School System before transferring to Frankfort. When Gail retired in June 1991, she was the Program Manager of the Division of School Food Services.

As an alumni member of the University of Kentucky, Gail enjoyed hosting holiday lunches for her mother, Mildred, and other family and friends at Spindletop Hall. It was a beautiful setting for such special holiday gatherings.

Like her mother, Gail was interested in politics and current events. She was a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and received this title from the Governor of Kentucky for outstanding service to the community and state. If Gail saw an interesting article in the newspaper, she was known to pass it on to other family or friends for their comments.

In her younger years Gail enjoyed traveling, but as she got older, she didn’t venture too far from home. Everyone probobly remembers “Missy” the cat who accompanied Gail to several Rowland family reunions. Gail’s last cat, “Gracy” was with her for eighteen years.

Gail became an expert on the genealogy of the Rowland and Rader families and was happy to share her findings with others. Gail also loved to take pictures. One of her favorite subjects was the beautiful eastern Kentucky land she grew up around, and it is only fitting that she returned to the area she loved so much. Gail Rowland passed on March 7, 2025.

She leaves behind a host of cousins to mourn her passing.

There will be a graveside service for Miss Rowland on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Nan Riley Cemetery in Woolum with Rev. Greg McClain officiating. Hampton-Hutton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

There will be no visitation.

To the Rowland family, the staff of the Hampton-Hutton Funeral Home would like to offer you our heartfelt sympathy during your time of bereavement.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franklin County Humane Society,100 Companion Place, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601, in memory of Gail Rowland.