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Obituary For Rowell Stanford Ashford
Rowell Stanford Ashford
April 13, 1936 - August 3, 2026
Life & Legacy
Rowell Stanford Ashford, M.D. was born in Ensley, Alabama, the twelfth of thirteen children to the late Thomas and Jessie Rowell Ashford. Raised in a devout Christian home, he confessed his faith early at Metropolitan CME Church and later served as a Deacon at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church before joining Strong Tower Bible Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
A dedicated scholar, Rowell graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fisk University before earning his medical degree from Meharry Medical College. He completed his internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and served three years as a Captain and medical doctor in the United States Air Force. He went on to complete his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maricopa County Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, becoming a Board-Certified OB/GYN.
Trailblazing Career
Returning to Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Ashford became a pioneering trailblazer for African American physicians. He was the first Black doctor to gain staff privileges at major Birmingham hospitals, breaking barrier doors closed by segregation. He helped establish and operate Cooper Green Hospital, headed its OB/GYN department, and served as President of the Jefferson Clinic PC, providing vital medical care to indigent patients. As a Clinical Professor for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), he mentored generations of residents and was repeatedly named "Best Clinical Professor."
In recognition of his distinguished career, Dr. Ashford was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame (2014), named a "Legacy" in OB/GYN by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2017), and honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Birmingham Business Journal.
Survived By
Dr. Ashford leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Rosemary Harris Ashford; children, Monica Smith-Ashford, Shawna Greene (George), Shelley Ashford, and Rowell S. Ashford II (Trinita); Grandchildren, Zachary Ashford Maxwell, Danielle Greene Miller (Joe), Denia Greene, George Greene, III, Dorian Ashford, Jada Ashford, Jordan Ashford, Riley Ashford, Miles Ashford, Joshua Ashford, Justin Ashford; Great-Grandchildren, Marcus, Anya, and Eliza; Close Relatives, Lt. Col. Ret. Samuel E. Harris (Shelby), Dr. James Nunally, Jr. (Bess), Heather O’Donley (Jason), Joseph Harris, Ashley Weigel, and a host of beloved relatives, colleagues, and friends.
Visitation:
Saturday, August 8, 2026
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bushelon Funeral Home, Inc.
800 14th Street SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Service:
Monday, August 10, 2026
12:00 pm
Sixth Avenue Baptist Church
1101 Martin Luther King Drive SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
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Condolences & Tributes
Add A CondolenceI was an ObG resident at UAB when Cooper Green Hospital opened and was most fortunate to work with Dr Ashford for three years as one of my mentors. He was such a consummate physician and gentleman to work with and just to enjoy being around. Kind, compassionate, caring, intelligent, patient, gifted are just a few of the words to describe him. He touched so many of us young physicians. He and Rosemary were a couple to be emulated by anyone. Sincere condolences to her and the entire family.
I worked with Dr Ashford for almost 10 years as a nurse anesthetist at Cooper Green. I loved my time there and my patients and I knew he shared that love. He was professional, wise, had the patience of Job, and showed true kindness to his patients and staff. Those of us that worked with him and trained under him will not forget.
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