NANCY ANN (ROWE) BENSON

Nancy Ann Benson (Rowe), affectionately known as “Mama Rowe”, transitioned into eternal life with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 1, 2021. Nancy was born September 4, 1942, in Jackson, Mississippi, to the late Mollie and John Benson. In 1957, Nancy relocated with her family from Jackson, Mississippi to Akron, Ohio, where she graduated from Central High School in 1960. Nancy was married for 14 years and blessed with three children, Kenneth Rowe Jr, LaTonya Smith and Marcel Rowe. A year after her marriage ended, Nancy moved to Canton, Ohio with her three children and attended Malone College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of social work. After graduating in 1979 she moved back to Akron, where she worked 12 years as a licensed social worker for The Children’s Service Board (CSB). She touched the lives of many children while with CSB some of which remember her to this day. Nancy accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior in 1975. She was an active member of Arlington Church of God. She loved to sing and was a member of the choir for over 20 years. Chronic knee pain caused her to leave the choir, but you could always find her at church in the front row singing and dancing with her walker on Sunday mornings to the Lord’s music. Nancy was defined by her love for the Lord and her love for her family. She retired from CSB to become a full-time caregiver to her three grandchildren. Just as she did with her own children, she brought her grandchildren up to know the Lord. Nancy provided unbelievable love and support to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was actively involved in all their activities earning the name of “Mama Rowe” by other parents and children. As her grandchildren got a little older Nancy became a foster parent and continued to provide love and support to children in need. As she got older and experienced some health issues, she retired from foster care and poured all her love and support into her great grandchildren. She loved bringing her great granddaughters Little Nancy and Sabrena to church on Sundays and made sure they were involved in Sunday School, church concerts, and other activities. Such a great accomplishment to bring three generations up to know the Lord. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Mollie and John Benson Sr., brothers John Benson Jr., Roy Benson and Carl Benson and great grandchildren Josiah Rowe and Noah Bunch. Left to cherish her memory are sons, Kenneth Rowe, Jr. and Marcel Rowe; daughter, LaTonya Smith; grandchildren, Jeremiah Rowe, Joshua Rowe and Laura Rowe; brother, McKenzie Benson (Joann); sisters, Marva Lewis and Janice Davis (Marvin Sr.), ten great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Nancy’s memory will be forever preserved, safeguarded and cherished by those she loved and held dear. 

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