Arthur Rowland Obituary

Evans, GA – Entered into rest on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Ray Rowland, 95.

Arthur Ray Rowland (Ray) was born in Hampton, Georgia, in 1930 to Arthur and Jennie Rowland. He grew up in Hapeville, GA alongside his two sisters, Jane and Peggy. He graduated from Hapeville High School in 1946. Shortly after, he served in the U.S. Navy and continued to serve in the Naval Reserves for several more years.

In 1951, Ray began his lifelong career in libraries as a student assistant at the Mercer University Library. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Mercer University and later completed a master’s degree in Library Science at Emory University. Ray worked in libraries at Georgia State College and Armstrong College in Savannah, where he met his future wife, Jane Thomas, a biology professor at the college.

Ray and Jane married in Savannah in 1955. He went on to hold librarian positions at Auburn University and Jacksonville University before accepting a position at Augusta College (now Augusta University) in 1961. He spent more than three decades there and retired in 1991 as Chief Librarian. He cherished his work and built many long-lasting friendships with his colleagues.

Ray and Jane made their home on Winter Street in Augusta, where they lived for over thirty years. They shared a deep passion for preserving local history. Ray documented Augusta’s past through several books, and together they devoted themselves to family history and genealogy. They were both proud and active supporters of the Augusta Genealogical Society. For 25 years he served as Curator of the Richmond County Historical Society and was also a past president. Ray was a proud past president of the Georgia Library Association as well.

Beyond his professional life, Ray was an avid reader who often had more than twenty books checked out at a time. He especially enjoyed “Whodunit” mystery novels. Ray had a contagious loud laugh and brought joy to everyone. He shared unconditional love and friendship with his family and friends.

Ray was predeceased in death by his parents, his two sisters, his beloved wife, Jane and his loving daughter Dell Mitravich. He is survived by his daughter, Anna Dobbs and her husband Tim, his granddaughters Sarah Mitravich, Rebecca Dobbs and Laura Kaminer and her husband Woody. He is also survived by his four great grandchildren: Logan Kaminer, Lucy Claire Kaminer, Blake Kaminer, and Bayle Kaminer and his sister-in-law, Violet Thomas.

Ray’s family is very grateful to all the caregivers who gave him their time and love, especially in these past few months.

In celebration of Ray’s life, the family welcomes you to share the gift of reading, whether by gifting a book to friend or by curling up with a classic “whodunit” in his honor.

A celebration of life for Ray will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at the Thomas Poteet & Son chapel.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at 1:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com