1919-2016

Gola Belle Tipton Lowrey, 97, of The Woodlands, Texas for the last nine years, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, early in the morning on New Year’s Eve, while sleeping peacefully.

This beautiful, blonde, green-eyed baby girl was born on September 14, 1919 in Marshall, Arkansas to William Wile Tipton and Catherine Casto Tipton.

She grew up in a Christian home, in Green Forest, Arkansas with seven siblings, four girls and three boys.  She loved school and her favorite class was Home Economics.  She would display those skills, especially in the kitchen, throughout her life.  During her senior year in high school, she was voted Homecoming Queen.

She married James Russell Lowrey, of Harrison, Arkansas and moved to Port Arthur, Texas to begin a new life.  As her husband served in the Army during World War II, she and her children stayed with her mother in Arkansas.  After the war, they returned to Groves, Texas to rear their three children, Patricia, James Jr, and Pamela.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Groves, Texas where she served in many capacities, especially teaching beginner Sunday School classes.  The PTA and being Home Room Mother for her children in school was always important to her.  Singing was a passion and she had a wonderful voice.

Mrs. Lowrey was a member of the Port Arthur Little Theater along with her daughter Pam and a Port Neches-Groves High School Band Booster Club member for her daughter Pat.  She was a precious loving mother and wife to her whole family and dedicated a lifetime of care for her son James.

She was very loved by all the caregivers at the Brookdale Living Center, referring to them as her kids and greeting her nurses at the Regent Care Center with “Hi, Doll!”  She was known as Nannie and, because she so often referred to her family member’s that way, Darlin’ to her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, who adored her.

Survivors include her sister-in-law Anna Sue Parkinson, her children Patricia Lowrey Johnson, husband Troy, Pamela Lowrey Hahn, husband Terry, her grandchildren Jayson Johnson, wife Kelly, Sherry Johnson Pickert, husband David, Trevor Latiolais, wife Jamie, Kindell Latiolais Lopez, husband Adam, her great grandchildren Jaclynn Zimowski, husband Joseph, Weston Johnson, wife Peytan, Sabrina and Angela Pickert, and Fallon, Asher, and Shaylee Lopez.

A visitation for family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Jimmy Robbins officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Memorial