James Chatfield Rowe, 91, of Calera died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005.

He was born in Alabama on Dec. 25, 1913, to James W. Rowe and Mary M. Porch Rowe. He was a born-again Christian and a lifelong Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Notasulga and Calera. His career was spent in teaching and coaching for 40 years at many schools in Shelby County and other counties. He also served as assistant principal at Calera High School. He was a former Lions Club member and a current member of the Masonic Lodge No. 445. He served many years on the Calera Water Board.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Owen, Claris, Alton and Gerald, and his stepson, Douglas Smitherman.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Zelda Harrell Rowe; his son, Charles (Faye) Rowe of Montgomery; his stepsons, Ronald (Brenda) Smitherman and David (Faye) Smitherman, all of Hoover; his brother, Howard (Evelyn) Rowe of Union Grove; his step-daughter-in-law, Marilyse Smitherman of Birmingham; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Service will be today, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. at Charter Funeral Home, the Rev. Hal Warren presiding. Burial will follow in Shelby Memory Gardens, Charter directing.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Calera Masonic Lodge No. 445 or Odyssey Hospice