Nellie Fainter Rowland, 97, of Natural Bridge Station, died Friday, June 20, 2008.

born February 10, 1911 in Rockbridge County, she was a daughter of the late James Ashby Fainter and Laura Huffman Fainter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Elmo Rowland and a nephew, Calvin Terrell West, caregiver, who died on April 24, 2008.

Mrs. Rowland was the oldest member and last charter member of the Beth Horon United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star as a Worthy Matron, the United Methodist Women and a past member of the Natural Bridge Home Demonstration Club.

She is survived by her nieces: Cornelia Lowman, Maxine Williams, and Sarah Mayberry; nephews: William Fainter Tucker and William Jeffrey West; sisters-in-law: Ethel G. Fainter, Beatrice R. Smith, and Nera Rowland.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Hall Nursing Home and the Rockbridge Area Hospice, and two special caregivers who were like family: Minnie Coleman and Sarah Murphy.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 3 p.m. at the Natural Bridge Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Michael W. Pettry officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice. The family will receive friends from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2008 at the Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington.