Rowena Mae Parkerson

Rowena Mae Parkerson, 93, of Abbeville, SC, formerly of Okeechobee, FL for 77 years, wife of the late J. P. Parkerson, died Saturday, May 3, 2025, at her home. She was born in Basinger, FL to the late Louis Morise Thomas and Eunice Lois Drawdy Thomas.

Rowena dedicated much of her life to public service, devoting 36 years as the Supervisor of Elections in Okeechobee County, Florida. She was a proud member of the Okeechobee Historical Society, the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and the Florida Supervisor of Elections Association.

In her personal life, Rowena found joy in a variety of hobbies. She often spent her time working jigsaw puzzles, crafting and playing cards and dominoes with friends and family. Her adventurous spirit shone through in her enjoyment of gem mining and traveling the backroads – each journey filled with new discoveries and stories that she enjoyed sharing with those who had the privilege of knowing her. Rowena was a member of Oakview Baptist Church and Abbeville Mainstreet Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Heather Mitchell; two sisters, Pat Thomas Godwin and Dickie Thomas Turner; nephew, John Godwin; niece, Donna Godwin Cooper; great-nephew, Dade Richard; and son-in-law, Jerry Watson.

Rowena is survived by her children, Chris (Marcia) Parkerson of Statesboro, GA, Butch Parkerson, Sandra Parkerson Watson and Vickie Parkerson (Mike) Trexler all of Abbeville, SC; ten grandchildren, Tammy (Tom) Kenny, Derek (Jackie) Luna, Austin (Christena) Douglas, Sara (Mike) Corwin, Michael (Nancy) Parkerson, Matt (Yoko) Parkerson, Suzette (Kevin) Belleflower, Shannon (Charles) Segree, Wendy Callander and Jennifer Mitchell; 25 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends 1:00PM – 2:00PM, Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home & Crematory, 440 N. Parrott Ave., Okeechobee, FL 34972. Funeral services will begin at 2:00PM in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, 1116 NE 39th Blvd, Okeechobee, FL 34972.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions in memory of Rowena, be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville, SC and Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home & Crematory of Okeechobee, FL are assisting the Parkerson family.