Anne Evelyn Henning Rowan was called home to heavenly rest on Friday, July 14, 2024, in
Jackson, TN at Jackson General Hospital.
Anne was the second child born to the late Carlos and Oburla Williamson Henning on July 14,
1940. She professed an early faith in Christ and united with Denmark C.M.E. Church in
Denmark, TN. Anne was very active in the church until 1965. She attended Madison County
Schools in Denmark, TN and graduated from West High School in 1958.
Anne attended Nashville Business School for one year in Nashville, TN. She returned to
Denmark and graduated from Lane College in Jackson, TN. Anne was one of the Lane College
student organizers to help desegregate the lunch counters at various stores in Jackson. She
also led protests at Camp’s Grocery Store in Jackson, as well as other businesses. After
graduating from Lane College in 1963, she started her career teaching at Stigall High School in
Humboldt, TN. She was a Business Education teacher and Basketball Coach at Stigall; until the
end of the 1965 school year.
Anne married the love of her life, Howard Euther Rowan in May 1965; until his death on
December 14, 2000. They moved to New York City in June 1965 where she taught at Chatham
High School in Chatham, NJ. She made yearly student field trips to the New York Stock
Exchange to give her students first-hand experiences in the field of business. She subsequently
retired from the Somerville School District in Somerville, NJ.
After she and Howard moved to New Jersey, they united with Stelton A.M.E. Church in
Piscataway, NJ. She was very active in various auxiliaries and she and Howard worked with the
Share Food Program, a community organization engaged in food distribution, education and
advocacy.
Anne and Howard returned to Denmark, TN in 1998 and reunited with the Denmark C.M.E.
Church. Anne was very active as an Adult Sunday School teacher and worked with the youth in
the church. Her community activism in the Neely and Denmark areas included delivering
baskets to the sick and elderly during the holidays. She was also an active member of the
Women’s Democratic Party of Jackson Madison County and a five-year member of the Madison
County-Jackson School District Board of Education from 2007-2012.
Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Euther Rowan; parents, Carlos and
Oburla Henning; brother, Malcom Henning and nieces, Carla Brooks and Angelin Henning.
She leaves to celebrate her life and to cherish her memory, her loving sisters and brothers,
Iphagenia Henning Brooks of Jackson, TN, Carlos F. (Lynn) Henning of Jackson, TN, Deloris
Henning Parker of Miamisburg, OH and Jeff W. (Lynne) Henning of Jackson, TN; a sister-in-law,
Betty C. Henning of Atlanta, GA; nieces and nephews whom she loved and cherished, Harold E.
(Yvelle) Brook, Jr., Lance (Rosellen) Brooks, Tonya (Victor) Henning McNeil, Carlos Henning, II,
Catrice Henning Cooper, Chanda (Mark) Henning Cole, Jocelyn Henning, Janita (Antonio)
Henning Rhodes and E. Gerald (Janna) Parker, Jr.; a special cousin, Rose Hunt; a special
friend, Sabrina Anderson as well as other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friday, July 19, 2024
12:00 - 6:00 pm (Central time)
Bledsoe Funeral Home
Saturday, July 20, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Denmark C.M.E Church
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Denmark C.M.E Church
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