Melvin Wade Rowell, 68, of Hortense, Ga. was called home to the Lord Friday evening, August 21, 2026. Surrounded by his loving family, Mel peacefully completed his long-standing fight with cardiovascular disease and gained his heavenly reward. Deeply rooted in Brantley County, he was proud to be from Hortense, which served as the backdrop of his childhood that instilled a love of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. As an adult, Mel turned that love to a focus on shooting sports. Known for his trick shooting, many were witness to him shooting a dime out of the sky with a .22LR rifle and pistol. Progressing to shotgun, he focused on clay target sports, introducing and mentoring countless individuals to the games of skeet and sporting clays. And yes, he would also shoot clay targets out of the sky with a .22LR.

Born with the gift of gab, Mel regularly entertained friends and family with stories from his childhood and young adulthood. He never met a stranger and lived his life to the fullest. Suffering his first heart attack at the young age of 39, he said he lived on “bonus time and would spend that time with good people.” He strived to fill each day with love and laughter. The outpouring of love from his friends and family in his final days served as a true testament to the impact his life had on his friends, family, and community.

Welcoming Mel through Heaven’s golden gates are his parents, Allen and Abbie Rowell; grandparents, Baxter and Ada Rowell, John and Anna Griffin; brother, Emory Rowell; brother, Mickey Rowell; and sister, Sylvia Rowell Wingate.

Mel is survived by the love of his life, wife Mary Weaver Rowell; his 3 children, Jeremy Rowell, Melissa (Cannon) Petitjean, Nathan Rowell; 4 grandchildren, Peyton Strickland, Garrison Strickland, Gerald Rowell, Andrew Rowell; ex-in loves, Elizabeth (Chuck) Strickland, Amanda Meyer; two bonus daughters, Stacy (Ricson) Alcantara, Kristen Keene; 4 bonus grandchildren, Taylor Alcantara, Noah Alcantara, Joshua Keene, Jordan Keene; brother, Jerry Rowell; 3 nephews, Michael (Kim) Wingate, Paul (Libby) Rowell, Curtis (Niki) Rowell; niece, Laura (Jerry) Mullis. And many more relatives and loved ones.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Rinehart Chapel with officiate Rev. Jonathan Mann, guest speakers Pastor Keith Brown and Associate Pastor Ritchie Self. Interment will be in the Satilla Cemetery in Hortense. Active pallbearers will be Mark Shuman, Trevor Brown, Morris Worth, David Harvey, Kevin Whiteman, and David Nichols. Honorary pallbearers are Brad Arrington and the Mossy Pond Family.

Visitation will be held 5 to 7 PM, Monday, August 24, 2026 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Little Memorial Baptist Church, 106 Little Memorial Rd, Hortense, GA 31543 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545 in honor of Melvin Wade Rowell.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.