Buna Mae Rowland

ATHENS — Buna Mae (Boots) Rowland, 86, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, on Oct. 10, 2017, while a patient at a Chattanooga, Tenn., hospital. Boots was a native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, Tenn., and devoted her life to serving her family, friends, and neighbors. She dedicated her life to following the teachings of Jesus Christ and had a positive influence on many lives by her living example and prayer life. Her life of service to others was evident to all who came in contact with her. She was the daughter of the late Jude H. and Beulah (Runyon) Pettitt and was preceded in death by a son, Vic E. Rowland; and brothers, Billy Gene and Julian Heath Pettitt. Survivors include one son, Phil Rowland and wife Cathey, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two sisters, Blanche McKinney, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Judy King and husband Jerry, of Athens, Tenn.; granddaughter, Erin Rowland, of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandson, Dusty Rowland, and wife Sheena, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; along with great-granddaughters Presley, Kensley, and Trystan Rowland, of Chattanooga; along with several nieces and nephews. Boots was a lifelong Baptist and in the latter years of her life she was attending Outpost Mission Church in Sweetwater, Tenn., where several of her relatives attend. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Oct. 12, in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs funeral home in Athens, TN. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. in the chapel at the funeral home with the Rev. Ken Clark officiating. Interment will be at 11 a.m. on Friday at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Athens. Pallbearers will be Dusty Rowland, Roger Burton, Rob McKinney, Keath McKinney, Cade McKeehan, and Brian Carlin. Those unable to attend may send conodolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com. Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens is in charge of the arrangements.