Obituary of James Travis Rowell

CAMDEN - James Travis Rowell “Travis” passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the age of 77, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.  Born in Camden, South Carolina, he was the eldest son of the late Jesse Ellis and Wilma Christmas Rowell. Travis was an active and loving father to his family. Services will be private.  

Surviving Travis is his wife of over 30 years, MJ Rowell; daughters, Merri Rowell Olson (Gerald), Sally Rowell Becking (Alex), and Suzanne Rowell Thigpen (Chris); two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sister, Martha McGee (John); and cousins, Alex West (Pam) and Jennie Ruth Hammond (Tommy).

Travis graduated from Camden High School in 1959, where he was active in sports.  Travis was a member of the football team and baseball team, each of which won the 1957 state championships. He attended Newberry College and graduated in 1963 before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, where he coached football at Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia. He then moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where he owned his own business.

Travis returned to Camden to retire in 2007.  He and his wife lived in his family home on Christmas Place, a street upon which in the last century, the Christmas family siblings owned most of the homes and raised their families until the time of their deaths.  

The Rowell family would also like to thank the staff of the Agape Hospice of Hartsville, SC for the special care they took of Travis in his final days.  Elizabeth Devore and Courtney Williams went above and beyond in their care of him.