She was born on Jan. 5, 1924 in Edison, Neb., to Gayle and Nellie Bishop Perkins. Rowena was raised and attended school in Beaver City, Neb. and later Dufur. She married to Eugene McCorkle on Jan. 2, 1947 in Dufur. They raised their five children in The Dalles. They moved to Hermiston in 1982 where Rowena had an in- home child care business where she cared for more than 50 children over the years. She moved to Vancouver, Wash., five years ago to live with her daughter, Debra. Rowena began teaching Sunday School classes at the age of 15 and taught for many years at the Faith Church of God (now Living Faith Church). Rowena loved children and collecting.
She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Jean Beasley, Philipines, and Debra Kay Phelps, Vancouver, Wash.; son, Edwin Ray McCorkle, Hermiston; sister, Verra Fae Barnes, Power City; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Rowena was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a daughter, Glenda Marie Cline; a son, Ronald Wayne McCorkle; a brother, Glenn Perkins; and a sister,Hazel Morris.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 11 a.m., at the Living Faith Church, Hermiston.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
