Clarence Rowe Rhett, Jr.

Clarence Rowe Rhett, Jr. entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on April 27, 2025.

Born in 1951 to Clarence Rowe Rhett and Betty Lewis Rhett, Rowe was the oldest of three boys. He grew up in Cleveland, MS and graduated from Delta State University, where he played on the tennis team and earned a business degree. Upon relocating to Memphis for work, he married Melinda Frances Bain and spent the next 46 years in devoted service to her and their two daughters, Melissa and Anna.

Rowe worked in sales throughout his career and this suited his never-met-a-stranger personality. He was a devoted churchman, serving as both deacon and elder at the two churches he loved and attended over the course of his adult life – Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis and Riveroaks Reformed Presbyterian Church in Germantown. These two church homes were the source of meaningful and abiding friendships throughout his life. As a younger man Rowe worked with every age group from nursery to elderly members he picked up on Second’s church bus. He particularly had a heart for the youth and worked with the senior high youth group at Second for many years, being involved in all their activities, retreats, and trips. He often said he grew stronger in his faith from the teaching during those years than any of the young people did. His years at Riveroaks were also marked with much and varied service, but perhaps the most tangible reminder of his service are the hundreds of azaleas that he planted and tended to on the church grounds during the last two decades of his life.

Affectionately called Pops by his six adoring grandchildren, Rowe poured himself into those around him. He was a devotedhusband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, and his humor, selflessness, and generosity were unparalleled. He glorified and enjoyed God on this earth, and now he is glorifying and enjoying Him face to face.

Rowe is survived by his wife and by his daughters Melissa Sherrod of Memphis, her husband Jonathan and their children Samuel, Caroline, William and James, and Anna Wilkinson of Germantown, her husband Zach and their children Rhett and Charlotte; his brother Glenn of Vicksburg, MS, his wife Gail and their children Richard, Ryan, Rowe, Ross, Robert, and Rachel;his sister-in-law Kay Rhett of Madison, MS.; his brother-in-law Bill Bain of Collierville, his wife Beverly and their sons Jeffrey and Gregory. He is preceded in death by his beloved mother, father, and brother, Bob.

Visitation will be on Saturday, May 3, 9:30 a.m., at Riveroaks Reformed Presbyterian Church, Germantown, TN, followed by the memorial service at 11:00. A family-only graveside service will take place Friday, May 2.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Samaritan’s Purse.