Vernia Rowe, age 77, formerly of Alger, passed away on Friday, December 31, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. at her home in Lima, surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 11, 1944, in Kentucky to the late Green and Birdie (Chaffins) Duff.  On July 2, 1961, Vernia married Truman Rowe and he preceded her in death on October 14, 2011.

Vernia is survived by her three children: Rick (Rina) Rowe of Roundhead, Duncan (Billie) Rowe of Lima and Manoka Rowe of Lima; six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two neighbor children who always knew her as their grandma; two brothers: Willie Duff of Langley, KY and Sid (Debbie) Duff of Maryland; three sisters; Pauline Cotter of Georgia, Olive Martin of Langley, KY and Helen (John) Lowery of Belle Center; a sister-in-law, Carol Duff of Springfield; and a host of nieces and nephews she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by a step grandson, Anthony “Tony” Delgado; three brothers: Irlan Duff, Wade Duff, and Bewel Duff; and a sister, Jeraldine Duff.

Vernia previously worked at Imperial 400 motel for five years and at Essex in Kenton for fifteen years on the assembly line making car parts.  She worked for Dr. DeBow and Kitty Freed for twenty-seven years.  She traveled to Tennessee with Mrs. Freed until she became ill and then was her caregiver until she passed away.  She also was a caregiver to Dr. Freed until he passed.  She was a member of the McGuffey Freewill Baptist Church, where she was a song leader for thirty years and taught Sunday school.

The family requests masks be worn for both visitation and services.

Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Alger with Willie Duff and Edwin Hayes officiating.  Burial will be in Preston Cemetery, Alger.  The funeral service for Vernia will be live streamed on the Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services Facebook Page beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 8. 

Friends may call two hours prior to the service on Saturday, January 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Alger.   

Memorial contributions may be made to the McGuffey Freewill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 148, McGuffey, Ohio 45859.