Claiborne Carr “C.C.” Rowe, Jr.

February 14, 1939 - October 20, 2020

02/14/1939 - 10/20/2020

Greenville, NC

Claiborne Carr “C.C.” Rowe, Jr. passed away on Tuesday morning, October 20, 2020, at the age of 81.

C.C. was born in Windsor, NC on February 14, 1939 to Claiborne Carr Rowe and Elsie Chitty Rowe.  A native of Ahoskie, NC, he graduated from Ahoskie High School, and later from East Carolina University, where he obtained his Doctorate in Education (EdD) degree.  While serving in the US Army and National Guard, he met the love of his life, Sandra, in Ahoskie, and they were married in 1967. Together, they made Greenville NC their home.

Being a passionate educator all of his life, C.C. taught Earth Science at Agnes Fullilove High School in Greenville, where he later became Principal in 1967.  He then went on to have a 35 year career at East Carolina University, where he served as Assistant Dean of Men and later,  Director of Disability Support Services, making great strides in obtaining and increasing accessibility for a wide range of disabilities on the ECU campus. Upon his retirement from ECU in 2000, he continued to use his love of teaching to help students at Pitt Community College obtain their GED certificates until the age of 81. He was very loved and appreciated by his many students through the years for the time he took teaching them and for genuinely caring about their success.

C.C. was an advocate for education, an avid reader, and purposeful thinker, always wanting to absorb all of the knowledge that he could.  He loved spending time talking and laughing with his friends and family, telling stories about “the good ‘ole days”, and taking daily walks in the neighborhood. He was known for his remarkable ability of remembering the date of any notable event in his life, and in other’s lives, always making people feel special. His great love of music, especially big band jazz, was apparent to all and he enjoyed the years he spent playing the alto saxophone in several local bands, including The Emerald City Big Band.  His only daughter, Alissa, was the center of his world, in addition to his wife, two grandchildren and son-in-law.  C.C. was a true Southern Gentleman, with a gentle soul, and a kind heart, which was felt by all who knew and loved him. His gentle soul specifically resonated in his great love of animals.

C.C. is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sandra Bostic Rowe, his daughter Alissa Grant, her husband, Mark Grant, and his two beloved grandchildren, Will Grant and Chesson Grant, of Charlotte, NC.

Due to COVID, a private graveside service will be held at a later date in Ahoskie, NC. Those who wish to honor C.C.’s life may make contributions to the Humane Society of Eastern NC, 3520 Tupper Drive, Greenville, NC 27834: www.hsecarolina.org  or to Jarvis Memorial UMC 510 S. Washington St., Greenville NC 27858: www.jarvis.church/give established in memory of C.C. Rowe.

Arrangements by Garrett-Sykes Funeral Home in Ahoskie, NC. Online condolences at www.garrettsykesfs.com

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Charetta Walls
2 years ago

Sorry for your loss!

Patricia Tutino
2 years ago

I have many fond memories of my friendship with CC. He helped me get a part time job at ECU which turned into a full time job. We had fun going to gigs together with the Emerald City Big Band. We were neighbors for many years. I liked seeing him walking and biking. He was a true gentleman. I will miss him and pray for peace for Sandra and family. He was definitely one of the good guys in my life.

Margaret Wooten Pierson
2 years ago

Dear Alissa, Mrs Rowe and family, I am sorry to hear of your loss. I have such fond memories of your whole family from my childhood. Alissa, your dad was always so kind and caring. He will be missed.

Joyce Hale
2 years ago

I met CC when our daughter was a student at ECU
.long long gone ago but he was out friend from that day till now.We stayedcin touch and always enjoyed laughing together..May God wrap His arms around this Gentle Giant…Rest in Peace,I will see you again.

G. Dennis Massey, Ph.D. and President Emeritus, Pitt Community College
2 years ago

Mr. Carr was an inspiration to us all and a great supporter of our GED/Adult High School students. His contributions impressed me and have served as a model for my retirement years from PCC.

Janet Hoover Johnson
2 years ago

Sandra, Alissa and family, so very sorry to learn of CC’s passing. May God give you all comfort and strength. Our love and Prayers are with you all. Charles and Janet Hoover Johnson

Charles Alford
2 years ago

Sandra So sorry to hear about CC ‘s passing. We had great times playing in several different bands and I think about him fondly. If you need any help later on please call me at 252-714-8816

Anna Holtvedt
2 years ago

What a lovely write-up of a lovely man. The tone of his obituary made me feel his presence, hit nearly everything I knew about him, makes me proud to have known him the little I did, miss him in his place in our world more than I already did, and happy to know that he was loved so well by his family. I am so sorry for the loss of this kind and gentle soul.

I just want to share with you that he was a hero of my late (and second husband) from before the time that I knew either of them. My husband, Jim Holtvedt, credited CC with his late-life acquisition of, not just his bachelor’s degree, but also his two master’s degrees…attainable only through creative feats of scheduling and accommodations due to my husband’s learning disabilities. He admired CC greatly, and felt that without CC’s support and friendship, he could not have accomplished his educational goals.

When Jim passed away suddenly, nearly five years ago now, CC was among those whose caring, kind words were so generously given to me right away, and through the ensuing years. He would bring Jim back to me every now and then. I will selfishly miss him very, very much.

I hope you will accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of your CC, and pardon my excessive outpourings here. He touched us all, and was the rare man who also allowed us to touch him back. I am so grateful to have spent time in his presence.

Much love and comfort to you who knew him best. What a gift he was.

Larry Vacek
2 years ago

My heart breaks for you, Sandra. Pray that you find strength in God, family and friends at this time. CC was a great friend and neighbor for all those years. I remember fondly fishing trips, talking about fishing, home maintenance , old tools, pets and most of all, our children. I know how he loved children. Not just Alissa and the grandchildren, but all young folks. I remember him saying that’s what kept him going — teaching and working with young folks. He was a gentle and caring man. He is greatly missed. We love you, Sandra, and all of your family.

Vickie LaFon
2 years ago

Sandra, I am so sorry. I don’t know if C.C. had been I’ll or not. Please know you and yours are in my prayers. You don’t get over it, you get thru it. Much love, Vickie