Bro. Alphonso Sherman Rowe, affectionately known as “Phonie,” “Fonnie,” “Phon,” and “Fonz,” was born on August 13, 1954 in Campbellsville, KY to the late Lawrence Lee Rowe and Georgia Lee Rowe. He was the third eldest of their ten children. On Thursday, September 17, 2026, Alphonso peacefully departed this earthly life and went home to be with the Lord.
Alphonso came into this world with a unique spirit and a gentle heart. Although speech and learning did not always come easily to him, he was surrounded by siblings who loved, protected, encouraged, and treated him as an equal. Their love and support helped shape the man he became.
Alphonso found great joy in the simple things of life. As a young man, he loved riding his bicycle throughout the neighborhood. Later, his parents purchased him a moped scooter, which quickly became one of his favorite ways to get around. His love for animals was also well known, as he often found himself bringing stray dogs home. His mother eventually had to remind him, “Phonie, do not bring any more dogs here!”
He also enjoyed cooking breakfast for his family. Many mornings, the aroma coming from the kitchen would awaken his brothers and sisters, who would ask, “Hey Phonie, what are you cooking?” Those ordinary family moments became treasured memories that his loved ones would carry with them throughout their lives.
At a young age, Alphonso accepted Christ and dedicated his life to God. His faith was one of the most important parts of his life. He loved attending church, praising the Lord, singing his favorite songs, and participating in devotional services. He was known to testify, praise God, and sometimes shout and dance when the Spirit moved him. His sister recalled that he danced and praised the Lord much like their grandfather, the late Elmer Richardson.
Alphonso loved songs such as “Sweet Home,” “What Do You Know About Jesus,” and “I Won’t Complain.” His faith carried him through every season of life, and he remained confident in God’s love and promises.
In the late 1990s, Alphonso began a new chapter of his life in Ohio with the help and support of his sisters. He spent time in the homes of several family members before his sister, Sherry, welcomed him into her home. His siblings each cared for him in their own special ways, and he remained deeply grateful for the love they showed him.
While living in Ohio, Alphonso participated in programs and workshops through Liberty Center, Inside Out Studio, and Charleston Adult Services. These experiences allowed him to remain active, meet new people, learn new things, and discover talents that even some of his family members did not know he possessed.
One of his greatest gifts was his artwork. Alphonso loved painting, often with music playing while he danced and enjoyed himself. He created paintings, jewelry, and other artistic pieces, many of which he lovingly gave to family and friends. His artwork was also sold for hundreds of dollars, with proceeds donated to Inside Out Studio. In 2013, he was featured in the Art & Soul Exhibit, a recognition of his creativity and artistic talent.
Alphonso enjoyed many things throughout his life, including movies, McDonald’s, music, family gatherings, church, video chats, and staying active. At the YMCA, he participated in chair volleyball and became known for playing with plenty of enthusiasm. His family still remembers the time he hit the ball so hard that he knocked someone’s glasses off.
He also loved to dress well and took pride in looking his best. He stayed “dressed to the T,” and he enjoyed receiving compliments from young men at church about his shoes and outfits. His family and friends lovingly helped him maintain his signature style.
Alphonso was a jokester who had a special way of bringing laughter into the lives of others. He loved teasing people, telling them, “I got your feet!” He loved telling people, “I love you,” and encouraging them with the words, “It’s going to be alright.” When something was not right, he was not afraid to say, “You’re not right” or “That ain’t right.” His humor, honesty, and unique personality made him unforgettable to everyone who knew him.
He loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children. As they grew older and had children of their own, his family continued to grow, and so did his heart. He treasured puzzles, bike rides, movies, ice cream, family gatherings, music, video calls, and simply spending time with the people he loved.
Alphonso was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Lee Rowe and Georgia Lee Rowe; his brothers, Bobby Rowe and Gary Rowe; his sister, Hattie Edsel Rowe; and his niece, Baby Felicia Rowe.
As Alphonso grew older, he experienced health challenges, but he was never alone. His brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and church family surrounded him with love and care. Even during difficult times, he maintained his faith, humor, gratitude, and love for others.
During his final days, Alphonso was surrounded by the people who loved him. Family and friends visited, prayed with him, sat beside him, played his favorite music, sent messages and videos, sang to him, brought flowers, and filled his rooms with familiar faces. His nieces and nephews came in such numbers that, at times, two rooms were needed to accommodate everyone who wanted to be near him.
In his final moments, his sister Ophelia was by his side. She had prayed that God would allow her to be present when Alphonso took his final breath. She comforted him and assured him that it was okay to go home to be with Jesus, that his brothers and sisters would be alright, and that one day they would meet again at Heaven’s gates.
Although his earthly journey has ended, Alphonso’s life continues through the memories, laughter, love, faith, and encouragement he left behind. His family will remember the young boy riding his bicycle through Campbellsville, the moped rides, the stray dogs, the breakfasts, the music and dancing, the paintings and jewelry, his sharp outfits, his love of church, his sense of humor, and the countless moments he shared with those he loved.
Most of all, he will be remembered for the way he made people feel loved. His life reminds us to cherish the ordinary moments, because those moments often become the memories we treasure most.
Alphonso often reminded those around him, “It’s going to be alright.” Today, his family holds tightly to those words. His faith carried him throughout his life, and he longed for the day when he would see his loved ones again. Now, his earthly race is finished, his body is at rest, and his faith has become sight.
SURVIVORS:
His siblings: Ophelia Rowe Thomas, Billy Korted Rowe, Felicia (Ron) Banks, Sherry Ulander Rowe, Robbie Lewis Rowe, Foresta (Ira) Smiley, and Flora (Bruce) Butler
Nieces & Nephews: Jametria, Jamila, Jamarco, Jamical, Derek, Stayce, Chemeka, Briana, Rashad, Rolanda, Rylan, Matt, Ralphael, Jonathan, and Andrea
20 great-nieces & great-nephews
Uncles: Gene Rowe, Joe Richardson, and Jerry Smith
Aunts: Dorothy Hall, Mildew Caldwell, and Bonita Smith
His church families at Christ Temple Church and Church of the Living God of Holiness
A host of extended family members & dear friends
Funeral service: Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Campbellsville with Bishop William Paul Hardin officiating
Burial: Crown Hill Cemetery
Visitation: After 10:00 A.M. on Saturday at the church
Prelude Service: 11:30 A.M on Saturday at the church
Hayes Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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