Mary Ellen Rowland

Mary Ellen Rowland of Bandera, formerly of Pearsall, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026 at the age of 83. Born to W.T. and Edna Rowland on October 18, 1944 in Vernon, TX, Ellen graduated in 1963 from Northside School outside of Vernon with a class of 12 students. She graduated from Midwestern State University with a B.S. in Education, majoring in Secondary Education-History with a minor in English; she then received her Masters in Special Education from East Texas State University. Ellen attended Texas Woman’s University in the early 80’s to obtain her Special Education Supervisor Certification.

She is predeceased by grandparents Stephen Kelly “Kell” and Beulah Harmon Castleberry; Jacob Sidney and Addie Belle Allison Rowland; parents W.T. “Dub” and Edna Lee Castleberry Rowland; brother Gary Sidney Rowland; sisters Chrisie Ruth Rowland and Shirley Lee Rowland Tiroff; sister-in-law JoAnne Cannon Rowland; brother-in-laws Bill Tiroff and Cecil Short; nephew Jeff Richie; longtime partner Angus Leon McNutt.

She is survived by her daughter Chrisie Allison Rowland of Boerne, TX; sisters, Lura Joyce Rowland Short of Corinth, TX and Wanda Nell Rowland Richie (Joe) of Vernon, TX; sister-in-law Barbara Brown Rowland of Quitman, TX; childhood and life long friend, Betty McLaughlin (Freddie) of Chillicothe, TX.

Ellen never met a stranger, and was always quick with a joke or sarcastic comment, depending on her mood. Her formative years in the 60’s and 70’s were focused on progressing Women’s Rights and Equal Rights for all, which she remained passionate about throughout her life. She worked across many Texas school districts over the years, initially in the classroom, and then for the majority of her 41 years in education as a Special Education Diagnostician, which was her true calling. Taking pride in being an independent woman, Ellen blazed her own trail along the way, no matter what society thought she should do or be. (Though brother Gary was always there to get her out of a jam!) She experienced a rich life: religiously read her paper every morning with coffee, playing with her cat, Annie, and her grandpuppies Mojo and Aggy, consuming “mass quantities” of Mexican food, "junking” as she called it, with a keen eye for a stellar find, as well as traveling throughout Texas and Mexico with Angus, digging for arrowheads. Ellen looked forward to the biannual Northside School reunions and Doans May Picnic; she was an avid reader and had a green thumb, raising orchids among other finicky plants. After retirement, she worked part-time at the Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County, and enjoyed phone calls with Betty, catching up on the latest from her family, and what was happening on their weekly soap operas. An eclectic music lover, Ellen especially enjoyed Dwight Yoakam, Ray Price and Lyle Lovett in her later years.

At Ellen’s request, no formal services will be held. Her only request was that her remains be spread on the highest hill at the Rowland family place “Granny’s” in Doans. And, in typical Ellen fashion, it was specifically noted not to let her blow into Oklahoma. The remainder of her remains will be interned next to sister Chrisie at Eastview Memorial Cemetery in Vernon during her birthday month. Memorial donations may be made to Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, or the Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County. Ellen will be dearly missed, however, her memories, spirit, and colorful idioms will live on through all those who knew her.