Betty Rowena Lewis English 101 of Birmingham, AL departed this life Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Town Village Apartments in Vestavia, Alabama. Rowena was born and raised in West Alabama.  After her marriage she lived for over 50 years in Luverne and was a member of the Luverne Church of Christ. During this time she was the owner of the local Ben Franklin's 5 & 10 store.  Later, she and her husband, Charles English owned English's Department Store for over twenty years.  After selling English's, Rowena and Charles moved to Greenville where she lovingly restored her home on Ft. Dale road.  Charles and Rowena were married for fifty years. After Charles died, Rowena moved to Vestavia Hills to be closer to her daughters and granddaughters.  She lived there for thirty years and was a member of the Hoover Church of Christ.

Rowena was an independent woman who loved solitude, a clean home and clean windows.  Although she had never been out of the USA, at 79, Rowena booked herself on a European tour so she could fly on the Concorde.  At 80, she traveled to New York City with Norma and said she had the time of her life.  Rowena could always be counted on to speak her mind - even when her family would have preferred she did not.

Funeral services will be held from Hayes Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 1:30 PM with Min. Greg Hanchey officiating. Visitation will be at Hayes Funeral Home on Sunday, April 3, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.

Survivors include: Daughters - Lana (Chuck) Sellers, &  Norma English (Robert Adams). Granddaughters - Katheryn (Matthew) Frederick and Elizabeth Brock and five Great-Granddaughters, all residing in Birmingham, AL.

Norma would like to extend her heartfelt appreciation to Pam, Ashley and Chetori Marshall, Rowena's dedicated caregivers.  They filled her last few months with wonderful care, joy and love.

Hayes Funeral Home of Elba, Alabama is serving the English family.