Elsie R. Rowlett, age 87, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 9:46 P.M. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois. She was born on March 16, 1934, in Robinson, Illinois, the daughter of Arch and May (McCall) Hall. She married Wade Norman Rowlett on January 25, 1953, in Glenridge, Illinois and he preceded her in death on September 1, 2017.
Mrs. Rowlett is survived by her daughters, Karen Robbins and husband Charlie of Centralia, Illinois, and Cindy Queen and husband Dale of Centralia, Illinois; grandchildren, Katie Queen and companion Brent Bales, Courtney Queen and fiancé Casey Watt, Brysen Griffith and Eric Queen and wife Brooke; great-grandchildren Cohen Bales, Bennett Bales, and Briar Bales; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many good friends.
In addition to her loving husband of 64 years, Mrs. Rowlett was preceded in death by her parents, Arch Hall and May Hall; son-in-law, Richard “Turk” Smith; brothers, Bill Hall and wife Nina, and Jim Hall; sisters, Lois Froelke and husband William, Esther Anglen, and Jane Shaw.
Mrs. Rowlett had a contagious laugh and could light up a room with her beautiful smile. She was an avid reader, sending her daughter to the library to check out books for her as often as she could to keep up with her appetite for reading. She loved to sew and to crochet. She enjoyed making fudge, baking cookies and pies, and donating the pies to the Relay for Life events. Elsie cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her great-grandbabies, seeing pictures and videos of them. Her grandbabies always cheered her up a lot.
Mrs. Rowlett enjoyed traveling and taking trips with her family throughout the United States. The trips with her family were when memories were made since she saw more sites throughout the country with her family, who planned the adventures.
Mrs. Rowlett was a very giving person and would do anything to help others. She volunteered her time to the American Red Cross and volunteered at local blood drives. When her daughters were younger, she was very active in their school’s PTA.
Mrs. Rowlett retired in 1997 as a nurse’s aide in the pediatric department at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois after 30 years of service. She loved her babies and worked hard to take care of the children. She crocheted little hats for the preemie babies, and they were donated all over the State of Illinois. She graduated with Robinson High School’s “Class of 1952”. She had lived in Centralia, Illinois since 1953.
A Graveside Service for Mrs. Elsie R. Rowlett will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, October 4, 2021, at Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois with Reverend Sidney Davis officiating. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery on Monday. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois. There will be no public visitation. The family asks those who are attending to please be mindful of social distancing, wear a mask, and take any health precautions necessary to ensure a healthy environment. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Rowlett’s memory to Wamac City Park or American Red Cross and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mrs. Rowlett’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.
