He graduated from Mathiston High School in 1956. Carlton’s early adulthood was spent serving in the National Guard assisting with civil unrest at Ole Miss in 1962. He worked at Futorian and enjoyed serving as a high school athletic referee for school districts. His supervisory roles and tenure at Flexsteel factory revealed a strong work ethic. He owned The Frame Shop in Eupora, MS and was widely solicited for his carpentry work and antique furniture restoration. His love for restoring antiques was a primary hobby and served as evidence of his strong convictions for finding the beauty and potential in everything and everyone. After he retired from Flexsteel, he was often referred to as the “hardest-working retiree.” If he ever rested, it was to watch MSU football, the Dallas Cowboys, or an old John Wayne western movie.
Throughout his life, Carlton was always known for helping and serving others. His mother loved to tell the story of the time in elementary school he saved his lunch money to fill his March of Dimes card. During his marriage with Anne, they became devout parishioners for Mathiston First Baptist Church. Their love for the church and surrounding community was demonstrated through daily acts of generosity. It was during this time Carlton’s convictions for ministering to everyone and obedience in sharing the gospel became a very important part of his life. His unwavering willingness and work ethic for creating, building, coordinating, and executing projects was a resolute example of his strong convictions for how a church should serve a community. His infinite faith and service can be found in the many stories from others of how he prayed with them during times of need. Carlton’s “rain-or-shine” weekly visits to deliver church bulletins and pray with people who were unable to attend church will remain a cornerstone for our memories. After marrying Bonnie, he continued to live his legacy and worked daily to ensure they were capitalizing on every opportunity to minister and serve the church and community. He could always be found at the church working on a project. Carlton’s immeasurable devotion to his family and love for Gregg was unconditional and he delighted in talking about his family. Carlton’s number one priority in every conversation with anyone he met was to make sure they understood the importance of accepting Christ and his favorite passage of scripture was the 23rd Psalm.
Funeral services will be held on Monday January 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Mathiston First Baptist Church in Mathiston, MS. Interment will follow the funeral service at Spring Valley Cemetery in Mathiston, MS. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service on Monday January 20, 2025 at Mathiston First Baptist Church in Mathiston, MS. Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman, MS is in charge of all arrangements.
Carlton is survived by his wife Bonnie and his son Gregg (Jane) of Mathiston; step-son Barkley Neal of Boyle, two granddaughters Ashley Peeples (Craig) of Ackerman and Heather Rowlen (Kody Gilbert) of Mathiston; great grandchildren, Karlee Rowlen, Kayson Gilbert, and Khloe Gilbert; sister, Dorothy Jane Davidson, Florida; two brothers, Bobby Rowlen (Virginia) of Mathiston and Rodney Rowlen (Jo) of Adaton. He is preceded in death by his parents; nephews Steve and Les Rowlen; brother-n-law Hoyle Davidson; wife, Anne; sister, Joanne Perkins; and brother, H.L. Rowlen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Carlton to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, Sanctuary Hospice House 5159 West Main Street Tupelo, MS 38801, and/or Mathiston First Baptist Church 24901 MS Highway 15 Mathiston, MS 39752.
Throughout his life, Carlton was always known for helping and serving others. His mother loved to tell the story of the time in elementary school he saved his lunch money to fill his March of Dimes card. During his marriage with Anne, they became devout parishioners for Mathiston First Baptist Church. Their love for the church and surrounding community was demonstrated through daily acts of generosity. It was during this time Carlton’s convictions for ministering to everyone and obedience in sharing the gospel became a very important part of his life. His unwavering willingness and work ethic for creating, building, coordinating, and executing projects was a resolute example of his strong convictions for how a church should serve a community. His infinite faith and service can be found in the many stories from others of how he prayed with them during times of need. Carlton’s “rain-or-shine” weekly visits to deliver church bulletins and pray with people who were unable to attend church will remain a cornerstone for our memories. After marrying Bonnie, he continued to live his legacy and worked daily to ensure they were capitalizing on every opportunity to minister and serve the church and community. He could always be found at the church working on a project. Carlton’s immeasurable devotion to his family and love for Gregg was unconditional and he delighted in talking about his family. Carlton’s number one priority in every conversation with anyone he met was to make sure they understood the importance of accepting Christ and his favorite passage of scripture was the 23rd Psalm.
Funeral services will be held on Monday January 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Mathiston First Baptist Church in Mathiston, MS. Interment will follow the funeral service at Spring Valley Cemetery in Mathiston, MS. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service on Monday January 20, 2025 at Mathiston First Baptist Church in Mathiston, MS. Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman, MS is in charge of all arrangements.
Carlton is survived by his wife Bonnie and his son Gregg (Jane) of Mathiston; step-son Barkley Neal of Boyle, two granddaughters Ashley Peeples (Craig) of Ackerman and Heather Rowlen (Kody Gilbert) of Mathiston; great grandchildren, Karlee Rowlen, Kayson Gilbert, and Khloe Gilbert; sister, Dorothy Jane Davidson, Florida; two brothers, Bobby Rowlen (Virginia) of Mathiston and Rodney Rowlen (Jo) of Adaton. He is preceded in death by his parents; nephews Steve and Les Rowlen; brother-n-law Hoyle Davidson; wife, Anne; sister, Joanne Perkins; and brother, H.L. Rowlen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Carlton to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, Sanctuary Hospice House 5159 West Main Street Tupelo, MS 38801, and/or Mathiston First Baptist Church 24901 MS Highway 15 Mathiston, MS 39752.