Carol Ann Evangelo Rowe

Carol Evangelo Rowe, age 78, died peacefully at her home in Portsmouth, Virginia, Saturday night, April 25, 2026, holding the hand of her beloved husband and best friend John. As in life, they now remain inseparable in spirit. Carol was born and grew up in Portsmouth. She was the daughter of the late Angelo Evangelo Sr. and the late Elise Cooper Evangelo. She was a 1965 honor graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She graduated from Tidewater Community College with academic honors with her Associate’s Degree. Believing that education is a life-long endeavor, she later graduated from James Madison University (JMU) with academic honors with her Bachelor’s Degree. While at JMU, Carol was the recipient of the Elizabeth M. Finlayson Award, which recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of an adult student completing their undergraduate education later in their life. In addition to her zest for learning, she was passionate about uplifting and improving her wider community so that all would have both equal opportunities and justice. In doing so, she approached each task with unmatched energy, determination, and enthusiasm. Her pursuit for making all things better was infectious to others. Professionally, Carol was an accomplished banker, then became the Public Information Officer for the City of Portsmouth, and retired as the Grants Manager for the Portsmouth Public Schools. In recognition of her “let’s get things done” spirit, in 2008, the Alumni of the Vann H. Lefcoe Leadership Development program presented Carol with its “Sail Award” for her outstanding leadership in the Portsmouth Public Schools. Carol was involved in many community and civic organizations and served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Emily Green Shores Assisted Living facility and on the Board of Directors of Safety Town. Carol was devoted to her Church and her family. She grew up in Calvary Baptist Church where she spearheaded a project to renovate the church’s Sunday School facilities for the children, sang in the choir, and played the violin in the orchestra. Later, she and John joined their “forever church”, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth. Family was her top priority. She especially loved being grandmother to three wonderful grandchildren, Nicholas Burroughs McDonald, Carter John Rowe, and Payton Brie Rowe. Carol is also survived by her husband, John L. Rowe, Jr., her bonus daughter Jennifer McDonald, her bonus son Brian Rowe and Brian’s wife Amanda, her sisters Faye Evangelo Garrett and Dorothy Evangelo McGlaughon and Dorothy’s husband Billy. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Angelo Evangelo, Jr. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM, Friday, May 1, 2026, at Loving Funeral Home, 3225 Academy Ave, Portsmouth, Virginia. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 2, 2026, at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, 3300 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, Virginia 23703.