Thelma Pauline Rowlett “Polly”

Published 12:10 pm Friday, April 11, 2025

Mrs. Thelma Pauline Rowlett “Polly,” age 99, a resident of Washington Park, died April 1, 2025, at her home with family at her side.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington. Burial  followed in Oakdale Cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She will be missed by all.

Polly was born in Roanoke, Virginia on August 12, 1925. She was the daughter of Carl Young Weekley, Sr. and Margaret Linkenhoker Weekley.

From December 1942 to 1945 she was employed by the Veterans Administration National Headquarters of the Selective Service System in Washington DC.

On October 10, 1943, she married Joseph P. Rowlett, Jr. who preceded her in death on November 27, 1998. She is also preceded in death by her son, Dr. Joseph P. Rowlett, III “Pete” and a sister, Mrs. Jean Amick.

Polly was blessed with many friends and neighbors who became very special to her. She was often seen delivering loaves of her “special” homemade bread as a gift of love.

Polly will be remembered most of all for her gift of gardening. She spent many hours working in her yard. She loved giving tours, sharing plants and flowers with friends and family.

She is survived by a daughter, Margaret Leigh Skeen (Richard) of Bath, NC, two beloved granddaughters, Tracy Leigh Eastridge (Reed) of Murrells Inlet, SC and Jennifer Dixon Smith (Matt) of Anderson, SC, two great grandsons, Camden Smith and Aidan Smith of Anderson, SC, daughter in law, Patt Kerr Rowlett of New Bern, NC, special god child, Susan Smith Basnight (Tom) of Greenville, NC. She is also survived by a brother, Carl Young Weekly, Jr. of Jamestown, NC. She is survived by her extended family, John, and Renee Skeen (Bailey and Garrett), Mike and Carla Skeen (Stahler and Phoebe), Sharon and Jonathan Pridgen (Jackson and Jacob), and Mary Skeen (Oakley). She is blessed with several nieces and nephews.

We would like to give thanks to our wonderful caregivers, Flora Chavez, Carolyn Simmons, Sherry Harris, Clementeen Little and Michelle Harvey. Your special kindness, patience and compassion will long be remembered. Thanks also to Gentiva Hospice for Polly’s final care.

Polly was a woman of strong faith. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, Washington, NC.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 211 West Second Street, Washington, NC 27889.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Rowlett family.