HORTENSE — Melvin Wade Rowell, 68 of Hortense, was called home to the Lord Friday evening, August 21, 2026.
Surrounded by his loving family, Rowell peacef ully completed his longstanding fight with cardiovascular disease and gained his heavenly reward.
Deeply rooted in Brantley County, Rowell was proud to be from Hortense, which served as the backdrop of his childhood that instilled a love of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. As an adult, he turned that love to a focus on shooting sports.
Known for his trick shooting, many were witness to him shooting a dime out of the sky with a .22LR rifle and pistol. Progressing to shotgun, Rowell focused on clay target
Rowell
sports, introducing and mentoring countless individuals to the games of skeet and sporting clays. And yes, he would also shoot clay targets out of the sky with a .22LR.
Born with the gift of gab, Rowell regularly entertained friends and family with stories from his childhood and young adulthood. He never met a stranger and lived his life to the fullest.
Suffering his first heart attack at the young age of 39, Rowell said he lived on “bonus time and would spend that time with good people.” He strived to fill each day with love and laughter.
The outpouring of love from Rowell’s friends and family in his final days served as a true testament to the impact his life had on his friends, family, and community.
Welcoming him through Heaven’s golden gates are his parents, Allen and Abbie Rowell; grandparents, Baxter and Ada Rowell, John and Anna Griffin; brother, Emory Rowell; brother, Mickey Rowell; and sister, Sylvia Rowell Wingate.
Rowell is survived by the love of his life, wife Mary Weaver Rowell; his three children, Jeremy Rowell, Melissa (Cannon) Petitjean and Nathan Rowell; four grandchildren, Peyton Strickland, Garrison Strickland, Gerald Rowell and Andrew Rowell; ex-in loves, Elizabeth (Chuck) Strickland and Amanda Meyer; two bonus daughters, Stacy (Ricson) Alcantara and Kristen Keene; four bonus grandchildren, Taylor Alcantara, Noah Alcantara, Joshua Keene and Jordan Keene; brother, Jerry Rowell; three nephews, Michael (Kim) Wingate, Paul (Libby) Rowell and Curtis (Niki) Rowell; niece, Laura (Jerry) Mullis; and many more relatives and loved ones.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Rinehart Chapel with Rev. Jonathan Mann, guest speakers Pastor Keith Brown and Associate Pastor Ritchie Self.
Interment will be in the Satilla Cemetery in Hortense.
Active pallbearers were Mark Shuman, Trevor Brown, Morris Worth, David Harvey, Kevin Whiteman and David Nichols.
Honorary pallbearers are Brad Arrington and the Mossy Pond family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Little Memorial Baptist Church, 106 Little Memorial Rd, Hortense, 31543 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545 in honor of Melvin Wade Rowell.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
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