Christine Lorel (Rigsby) Rowell

The daughter of late Elmer C. and Lorraine L. Rigsby, she was born August 18, 1942 in St. Louis, MO and died July 6, 2026 at home in Waynesville, MO. On March 5, 1966, Chris married Willie J. Rowell in Waynesville, MO. To this union 4 children were born, William “Bill” Rowell, Jennifer “Jen” Rowell, Samual “Sam” Rowell, and Kristopher “Toby” Rowell…mom loved nicknames. Chris was in the first class to graduate from the new Waynesville High School in 1960 and went on to earn her bachelor’s in arts degree from then Southwest Missouri State College in 1964. She began working as an Art Teacher at Waynesville Junior High. She met the love of her life when Willie, a US Army soldier, was posted at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Chris was a military spouse for 38 years. She supported her family through Willie’s three tours to Vietnam and a 1-year tour in South Korea, and multiple moves across the United States (mostly in a VW van), including California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Alabama, Washington, D.C., and West Germany. During that time, she nurtured three sons and a Down’s Syndrome daughter through school, sports, injuries, travel, fights, dating, and teenage independence. She was briefly a Great Dane breeder in Kentucky, devoting one room of the house to the Great Danes. Chris was an amazing artist. In California, Hawaii, Kentucky, and Alabama, she decorated her home’s sliding doors with murals for the seasons, especially Christmas. She loved reading and for a short time was the Assistant Librarian in Waynesville, MO. Over the years, Chris became active in many organizations. She was a member of Nurenberg Parent Teachers Association, Pulaski County Historical Society, Genealogy Society of Pulaski County, Waynesville Alumni Association, Friends of the Library, and treasurer of the Pulaski County Garden Club. She spent many hours fundraising for the Waynesville Library Expansion. She was a Daughter of the American Revolution, tracing parts of the family genealogy back to the 1600’s. Chris was passionate about genealogy and was President of the Genealogy Society of Pulaski County for over 10 years, editor of their quarterly newsletter for many years, and compiled and published a book called Pulaski County Obituaries 1902-1952. Chris loved to read, watch old movies and British shows. She always decorated the home beautifully, especially for all the seasons. She was an excellent cook and loved to bake cakes and cookies. She loved gardening. She was fond of Irises and Hostas, but not when the “damn” deer were eating them. She loved league bowling with her mom and their friends. Chris is survived by her husband: Willie Rowell of the home; four children: Bill Rowell (Tanya) of Waynesville, MO, Jennifer Rowell of Waynesville, MO, Sam Rowell (Janel) of Waynesville, MO and Toby Rowell (Catia Santos) of Brussels, Belgium; six grandchildren: Hannah Nisula (Gabe) of Ogden, UT, Liam Rowell (Lauren Vores) of Waynesville, MO, Crismon Rowell of Waynesville, MO, Zander Rowell of Fort Campbell, KY, Rylee Delagarza of Austin, TX, and Gabriela Santos-Rowell of Brussels, Belgium; three great grandchildren: Landon Rowell, Nora Nisula, and Jamie Nisula; five siblings: Lorel Rigsby Gaffner (Gary) of Waynesville, MO, Elmer “Bud” Rigsby of Waynesville, MO, Kathy Brinson of Overland Park, KS, Merrie Christensen of Carson City, NV, and Gordon Rigsby (Cherie) of Waynesville, MO; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lorraine Rigsby. Her mother-in-law, Thelma Lanier. Her sister-in-law, Pat Rigsby, brothers-in-law, Jay Brinson and Jack Christensen, nephew, Andy Brinson, and niece, Missy Childers. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville, MO. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at 3:00 p.m., July 10, 2026, in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Christine Rowell to the Waynesville Library or the Free Women’s Center of Pulaski County and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Christine Lorel (Rigsby) Rowell

August 18, 1942 - July 6, 2026