Nancy Monroe Obituary

Nancy Anne Rowland Monroe passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on March 29, 2025. She was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on August 1, 1943. She was predeceased by her parents, Alpha Caldwell Rowland and John Howell "Bo" Rowland. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas Ark Monroe III, her sons John Rowland Monroe and his wife, Leslie, of Little Rock, Christopher Couch Monroe and his wife, Stephanie, of Little Rock, and her daughter, Sarah Monroe Priebe and her husband, Jeff, of Little Rock. She is also survived by her grandsons, Thomas Cooper Monroe, William Beene Monroe, Jenkins Howell Monroe, Jeffery Thomas Priebe, and Phillip Martin Priebe.
The track of her life seemed to follow the career of her legendary football coach father, Bo Rowland, from Charleston, South Carolina, then on to Athens, Georgia, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Falls Church and Richmond, Virginia, and then to Little Rock, Arkansas.
After graduating from Mount St. Mary Academy, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Spanish and minors in French and English from the University of New Mexico. While in college at the University of New Mexico, Nancy became a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Her journey in life continued when she married Ark Monroe and settled in his hometown of Magnolia. She soon became active in the community as a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Junior Charity League. In Magnolia, she also began to nurture their growing family.
Nancy loved spending time with her family and friends, and traveling, particularly in the United States and also Europe. She also appreciated the art of the Delta, became a master of needlepoint and smocking, and was proficient in handwork. She also was skilled in cooking Southern vegetables, especially turnip greens, black eyed peas, and deviled eggs.
Nancy had a strong faith in God and was a longtime member of Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock, where she served as a Sunday School teacher for young people, and on the Diaconate. She also married at the church when it was located at Third and Gaines in Little Rock.
Besides church and family, Nancy was very active in the community. She served as a former president and active member of P.E.O., Chapter I, former member of the Auxiliary Board of the Arkansas Repertory Theater, and a member of the County Club of Little Rock. As an avid sports fan, Nancy was proud to serve on the boards of the War Memorial Stadium Commission and the Little Rock Touchdown Club. She also was extremely interested in politics, and volunteered as an Arkansas Traveler on behalf of the presidential campaign of Bill Clinton in 1992.
Nancy rarely ever missed a game of her grandson's sports' careers in football, baseball, basketball, and golf. She also seemed to set her watch to the time of the Razorbacks' next sporting event.
A Celebration of Nancy's Life will be held at Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock on Thursday, April 3rd at 2:00 p.m. She will be interred in the Magnolia City Cemetery, Magnolia, Arkansas. 
Arrangements are under the direction of J. A. Funk Funeral Home of Malvern, Arkansas. 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72207, Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 2222, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-2222, or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.