Dolores Rowland was born on February 1, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Nick and Helen Thomas.

She embraced God and was baptized early, then became a First Baptist Church of Kennedy Heights member in the 1970s. Dolores married Pastor Frederick Rowland on February 7, 1977; they lived forty-seven blissful years together. Dolores was the First Lady of Metropolitan Baptist Church for twenty years. At Metropolitan, Dolores shared in the ministry alongside her husband, Pastor Rowland.

Through her years at First Baptist Church of Kennedy Heights, she served as a Sunday School Teacher, and Vacation Bible School Teacher and served as vice president of the usher board. Their passion for all people was to be saved and delivered so, therefore, they led a nursing home and drug ministry. Dolores also belonged to the Minister's Wives and Widows, Inc. in which she was treasurer.

Dolores worked for the Kroger Candy Plant for many years, where she was known as a "work mom" because of her loving, caring spirit. After retirement, she remained close friends with her Kroger crew. They visited and fellowshipped regularly. Dolores had a dream that came to fruition in 1982 when she opened Brighter Day Christian Bookstore.  This was a ministry that allowed her love for books to support and inspire the community. She later opened up Metrio's Family Restaurant, where she served good home-cooked meals.

She was preceded in death by her son, Anthony Thomas; special daughter-in-love, Gaylor Thomas; sisters, Dr. Eunice "Jean" Miller, Silvia Ray, and Rosalind Stanford, and brothers, Vernon Mimms, David Mimms, and Walter Miller, Jr. "Bay Bra".

She leaves to honor and cherish her loving memory her husband, Frederick Rowland; son, Darryl Thomas; daughter, Vicky Bush (Donald); son, Michael Cureton (Jennifer); son, Jimmy Cureton (Angel); daughter-in-love, Jackie Durden; 23 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Jimmy "the Vet" Mimms and brother, Ronnie Miller. A host of other relatives, friends, nieces, and nephews.

Her Famous Mantra is "Smile God Loves You and So do I".

Friends and family are welcome to attend the visitation at Corinthian Baptist Church - Tennessee Avenue, located at 1920 Tennessee Avenue, Cincinnati. The visitation will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 10:00 am until 11:30 am, and the funeral service will immediately follow the visitation starting at 11:30 am. The gathering will provide an opportunity for friends and family to share memories, find solace in each other's company, and honor Dolores's legacy.

The interment will take place following the funeral service at Spring Grove Cemetery.

To leave a special message or share a memory of Dolores please click on the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter your information, and click "Save Post."

Herbert T. Walker III and Walker Funeral Home will be honored to serve the Rowland family. For additional information, please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com.