Ellen Johnson Barrett Rowland

Mrs. Ellen Johnson Barrett Rowland, 69, of Swainsboro, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after complications due to a long battle of cancer. She was born July 28, 1955, to the late Ritchie Ward Johnson and Mathilda Refuge Johnson. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Denver “Danny” C. Barrett.

She was born in Brunswick Ga. In 1955, raised by her parents Richie and Tilly Johnson. She was the youngest of 3 girls (Mary Jane and Vicky).  She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1972.  She moved to the Swainsboro area shortly after graduating with her late husband Danny Barrett.  She had one son, Denver "Denny" Barrett II.

She enjoyed bowling in her younger years, where she won multiple trophies and awards as both an individual and mixed doubles bowler.  She also enjoyed riding motorcycles and spending any spare time with her family.  She was the manager at Hardee's in Swainsboro

For 17 years. She ran the old location where the courthouse is now and opened the new location that just shut down a few weeks ago.  She left Hardee's around 1991 and went to work at Swainsboro High school as a Paraprofessional. She worked there until the late 1990's. She then went to work with the Department of Rehabilitation until she retired around 2015.

Her mother, Tilly was born in Belgium and came to America as a war bride during World War II. She brought up Ellen and her sisters in the Catholic Church. Ellen attended St. Francis Xavier catholic school in Brunswick Ga. when she was younger.

Ellen also attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Swainsboro for several years.

She started attending Hawhammock Baptist Church around 1996 and has been a member there ever since. There is nothing she loved more than serving with her church family.

You could find her at church helping in any way she could up until her health would not allow her to go anymore.

Ellen is survived by her husband, Mike Rowland of Swainsboro; son, Denver “Denny” C. Barrett, II. (Alison) of Twin City; daughter, Melba Waters (Tracy) of Statesboro; grandson; Bryson C. Barrett; granddaughter, Taylor Waters; sisters, Mary Jane Vanderauwermuelen (Johnny) of Belgium, Victoria Moody of Bogart;  several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Memorial Service will be 10:30 A.M., Monday, September 9, 2024, at Hawhammock Baptist Church with Pastor Cail Pressey officiating.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. prior to the service at Hawhammock Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Hawhammock Baptist Church Awana Program at 27 Hawhammock Church Road, Swainsboro, Ga 30401.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Ellen Johnson Barrett Rowland, 69, of Swainsboro.