Mary Elizabeth Ross

Mary Elizabeth Rowland Ross left this world for her Heavenly home on May 4, 2023, at the age of 89.

Mary Beth was born July 23, 1933, to Knox and Ethel Rowland in Grand Junction, Colorado. She grew up in Grand Junction and for a few years she lived at Mesa Verde, Colorado.

Mary Beth had two siblings, Johnny and Becky, whom she loved dearly.

At the age of 5 she started to take piano lessons on an old upright piano. She became very accomplished on the piano over the years. She played the piano, organ & accordion. She was the church organist at First Assembly of God in Grand Junction, Colorado for several years before moving to Moab in 1957.

She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1951. While in high school, she played the clarinet in the orchestra and pep band. Mary Beth was also a member of the National Honor Society. Upon graduating high school, she went to Mesa Jr. College. She attended College for a year and then went to work at Shell Oil Company.

At a church box dinner, Mary Beth met her future husband, Art Ross. They were married at First Assembly of God on 4th and Grand Ave. by Pastor Kenneth Schmitt. At their wedding, the church choir sang, “Bless this House.” Shortly after that, they moved to Moab, where Art was employed by Skyline Transport hauling ore. Art & Mary Beth were members of First Assembly of God Church in Moab from 1957-1996, when they retired and moved back to Grand Junction. They were very active in the church in Moab in many capacities, teaching, music and various leadership positions.

Mary Beth and Art were married for 65 years. Mary Beth is preceded in death by her parents, Knox and Ethel Rowland, a brother John K. & Connie Rowland, Mary Beth’s daughter Beth Ross Waddington (Forsyth, Montana). She is survived by her husband Art of Grand Junction, her sister Rebecca Stout, a son Tom & June Ross (Snyder, TX), son in law Aaron Waddington (Beth’s husband, Forsyth, Mt.), her son Steve & Jennie Ross (Moab, Utah). They have 10 grandchildren and their spouses & 10 great grandchildren, with a great, great, grandbaby on its way. Her extended family has many nephews and nieces.

Mary Beth was a deeply committed Christian who didn’t know a stranger. Her husband Art was the center of her world. One verse of scripture she lived by in Proverbs 31:29-31 says, “Many women do a noble thing, but you pass them all…charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

There will be a graveside service on May 19^th at 1pm Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado. A Memorial Service for the extended family and friends that cannot attend the Graveside Service, to be held at a later time.