Joseph Rowser Sr.

Rev. Joseph Rowser Sr., “Rev. Action” and “Double Clutch,” was born February 2, 1926 in Hale Co. (Gallion, AL) to the late Rev. Nathan Rowser and Mary Jane Walker, as the Third oldest of Twelve children and he had a twin brother named John. He confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined Evening Star Baptist Church, Gallion. Joseph and John served two years in World War II on the same ship “U.S.S. Springfield” (CL 66). Joseph Rowser was a Steward’s Mate 1st Class and was honorably discharged! He returned home to Demopolis, AL where he completed high school at U.S. Jones High. After graduating, he enrolled and graduated from Alabama A&M University. While a student at A&M, Joseph Rowser met Lera Smith and they united in holy matrimony in 1952. To this holy union three sons were born: Joseph Stafford Rowser, Reginald Maurice Rowser, and Jeffrey Orlenda Rowser. As their father, he experienced a very terrifying situation when he returned home from school one day in Roanoke, AL!!   The Original Rowser Home House near Randolph Co. Training School was burning to the ground! He thought his three boys were being burned in the house. It took four big men to hold him on the ground so that he would not enter the burning home! The boys were already safe at the home of Grandparents, Rev. W. S. Smith and Bertha Houston Smith. Joseph Rowser loved his boys and his boys loved him.   “The Daily Care He Received was based on The Love He Showed!!”

            His teaching career began in 1951 in Randolph County! Joseph and Lera worked for eight years, as he served as Principal of the Mt. Gilead School in Newell-Woodland, AL while his wife Lera worked in Wedowee, AL and shared “one car” between them. In 1959, Joseph and Lera moved to Fort Payne, AL to be the Principal and one of the teachers at Fredrick Douglas High School, a Four Room School (Grades 1-12) that only had Ninety (90) students! Lera taught First, Second, and Third grade in the same room at the same time! Yes, Students were simply promoted over to the next row as they advanced through each grade level.

Rev. Joseph Rowser was a “Church Man” at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Attalla under the leadership of Our Pastor William Howard “W. H.” Granger! Dad served faithfully as Deacon, Trustee, Church Treasurer, Junior Boys Sunday School Teacher, Boys Crusaders Leader and the Church Bus Driver. Joseph and Lera Rowser were very “sho-nuff supporters” of Rev. Granger as Our Pastor and as Our Wills Creek District Moderator.

As a Community and Civil Rights leader, Rev. Joseph Rowser became “The First Black Elected Official in Etowah County” when he was “elected At-Large” to the Attalla City Council and twice in District 1 when DeSegregation Lawsuits led to Five Separate Districts in Attalla. He also made a strong run for Mayor of Attalla against three other candidates and made the run-off where he lost due to Whites shifting their votes! Attalla had to learn and grow in order to really accept change and Rev. Rowser never became bitter but only got better, better, better!

Rev. Rowser became an Ordained Minister, accepted the Pastorate of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church #1, Ridgeville, AL where he served for 39 years and became President of the Gadsden Metropolitian Baptist Minister’s Conference (now the Wills Creek Baptist Minister’s Conference) for 29 years. He and others also helped his son Stafford organize United Fellowship Federal Credit Union so the “Underserved African-American Community” could have financial resources in order to avoid Loan Sharks, Check Cashing and Title Pawn shops. For 17 years of Operation and 3 years of Planning, he served as Chairman, Board of Directors and Stafford served as President/Manager until United Fellowship Federal Credit Union was merged with Family Savings Credit Union in 2010. Joseph Rowser and wife Lera served the community as Presidents of Exchange Club of Attalla with each of them serving multiple times/terms.

He leaves to cherish and carry on his memory: two sisters, Elise Rowser Thomas and Louise Rowser Stancil; two sons, Reverend Joseph Stafford (Edith) Rowser, Jr., Jeffrey Orlenda (Vernelle) Rowser, preceding him in death, son Reginald Maurice Rowser, Sr.; Seven wonderful grandchildren: Joseph Stafford Rowser, III, Reginald Maurice Rowser, Jr., Sean Cornell (Lauren) Rowser, Kayla Danielle (Nick) Tazik, Scotti Michele (DeJarvis) Leonard, Hilary Dionne Rowser, Carmen Elise Rowser; two great-grandchildren: Christian Joseph Rowser and Andre Maurice Rowser. Lastly, he leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.

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