David Lewis Rowe

Mr. David Lewis Rowe, 77, of Mount Airy, passed away Saturday afternoon, August 7, 2021, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Rowe was born April 2, 1944, in Surry County, the son of the late Henry B. Rowe, Jr. and Mary Webb Rowe. He graduated from Mount Airy High School and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David was president of Smith-Rowe, LLC, a member of First Baptist Church, and a veteran of the North Carolina National Guard. He was very active in the Mount Airy community, where he served as Commissioner-at-Large and later Mayor from December 3, 2015, to October 8, 2020, when he had to resign due to his health. Mr. Rowe served on the Mount Airy Board of Education for 16 years, was named “Citizen of the Year” by the Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce in 2020, and was named to Mount Airy City Schools’ Wall of Leadership and Service in 2020. He is survived by his wife, Inglis Holcomb Rowe; two sons and daughters-in-law, Locke and Ocean Rowe and Anderson and Michaela Rowe; three grandchildren, Kallie, Davis, and Reagan; a sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Charles Vaughn; and a brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Honey Rowe. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 13, 2021, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Jay Meadows officiating. A private inurnment will be held at Oakdale Cemetery. There will be no formal visitation at the church. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask due to current health concerns for the safety of others. A funeral live stream will be available at www.fbcmountairy.org. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030; Young Life of the Foothills, P.O. Box 327, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or a charity of the donor’s choice. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.