Susan Lanham Rowland, 56, of Bay City, passed away Tuesday, October 25th, 2011 at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston following a short illness. Susan was born in Fort Worth, Texas on February 1, 1955 to parents, Raymond Dale and Hazel Larwood Lanham. She was a graduate of North Texas State University and worked 22 years as an educator and mentor to numerous children in Rosebud, New Caney, and 20 years with the Bay City Independent School District. She also served 7 years as the director of the Child Development Center of the First Baptist Church of Bay City. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Bay City where she attended the Adult 4 Sunday School Class, sang in the Adult Choir for 32 years, and was a charter member of the Kings Ringers Handbell choir. She had a passion for teaching children and loved seeing them continue their education and graduate.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Joe Rowland, a daughter and son-in-law, Kara and Ron Cowart, Jr. of Bay City, a son and daughter-in-law, Grant and Krystal Rowland of Spring, and 3 grandchildren, Tyler Taylor, Logan Rowland, and Mason Cowart. She is also survived by two sisters and their husbands, Terri and Darrell Pearce of Fort Worth and Cheryl and Blake McConnell of Denton and a step sister, Judy Veal of Fort Worth as well as numerous nieces, nephews and many, many former students.

A time of visitation will held on Friday evening, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Bay City Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 29th at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church of Bay City with Dr. Michael Zimmerman officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. Mike Collins, Jeremy Collins, Ryan Collins, Taylor Matthes, Brian Pearce, and Brad Moore will serve as pallbearers.

Services are under the direction of BAY CITY FUNERAL HOME.