Rowland Chester Heflin

At the age of 65, Rowland Chester Heflin passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on the afternoon of July 27th, 2024. He was born in Washington, DC, to the late Shirley G. Heflin and the late Ella Marie Heflin on May 24, 1959. Rowland grew up in Nokesville, Virginia, in a small country home without running water where he cared for the home and finished schooling at Brentsville District High School, graduating in 1977. Rowland described himself as a "skinny" boy and said his sense of humor made him friends throughout his school years and later on in life. Wherever Rowland was, he had a smile and laugh to share with those around him. He was baptized in the name of Christ in 1979 at Westover Baptist Church in Manassas, Virginia. Rowland joined the Army National Guard in December of 1976 and then transitioned to the United States Army from full-time service in the Army National Guard until he retired from active duty in 2003 as a Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4). He continued to serve his country as a DOD Civilian, creating policy as part of the Army G-1 in the Pentagon. He was admired by his peers for his knowledge and expertise on multiple topics inside and outside his position. He received numerous awards for his outstanding service including the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd OLC), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Louisiana Cross of Merit, the Virginia Bronze Star, the Virginia Service Medal, among many others. As a world traveler, Rowland saw much of the world in a professional as well as private capacity. He enjoyed sports (especially his beloved Washington Redskins), spending time with his family and reading on a wide range of topics. In recent years he devoted much of his time to his church and their missionary causes, specifically in Liberia. He is survived by his son Justin Heflin and his wife Alexis Heflin, son Eric Heflin, daughter Brianna Heflin and her husband Stephen Fenlason, his grandchildren Alister Heflin, Liberty Heflin, Harrow Heflin, Cotton Kylian Heflin, his sister Diane Smith, brother Jerry Heflin, sisters Jeanne Marshall and Pamela Marshall, and scores of nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by his sons Kyle Andrew Heflin and Ian Tyler Heflin, and his brother Stanley Heflin and his sister Gladys Lee Heflin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, 1001 E 101st Terrace #220, Kansas City, MO 64131.

Rowland Chester Heflin

May 24, 1959 - July 27, 2024