Herb Lowe

Herbert Charles Lowe January 8, 1930 - June 8, 2011 Mr. Herbert Charles Lowe was born January 8, 1930 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a graduate of Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, AR and Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. Always and forever a United States Marine, “Daddy Herb” as he is affectionately named, served in Korea making the infamous Inchon landing. Mr. Lowe worked for Safeway Stores and Lever Brothers before settling in Fayette, AL in 1967. The move to Fayette was the fulfillment of a dream of owning and operating his own grocery store - Piggly Wiggly Grocery. After the closing of Piggly Wiggly, he owned and operated Camper’s Outlet and Ann’s Antiques before retiring to do volunteer work throughout Fayette. He served as a member of the Fayette Jaycees, Lions Club, VFW, and the Fayette Master Gardeners where he was recently awarded the first ever Golden Trowel, which in the future will be called the Herb Lowe Golden Trowel Award. Mr. Lowe served as a Boy Scout leader and made two trips to Philmont Scout Ranch, the National Boy Scout Camp. He was named Fayette’s Man of the Year in 1971 honoring his efforts to promote the town of Fayette. He served as president of the Chamber of Commerce for 3 terms, chaired the United Way fund drive, and was a member of the Fayette County Historical Society for which he most recently served as a host at the Fayette County Depot Museum. Herb also served on the Silver Hair Legislature. Herb and wife, Frances, are founding members of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, which was started in 1969 in a storefront with 3 families. From those humble beginnings St. Michael’s has grown to welcome many families and be housed in a beautiful chapel. Herb’s greatest pleasures involved his family and his many dear friends. All of the children and many others called him by his favorite name “Daddy Herb”. Herb was preceded in death by his parents Herbert & Wilhelmena Lowe, his brother Walter David Lowe, and a son-in-law Lionel Eugene Wilson. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances Merriam Lowe, son, Barrie (Robin Watson) Lowe, daughter, D’Ann (William) Somerall, and daughter, Susan Lowe and her partner, Helene Loper. The loves of his life are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jessica (Justin) Freeman, David Barrett Lowe, Heather (Trey) Ward, Christina Wilson, Lance Corporal Adam Charles Wilson, step grandchildren, David, Adam, and John Somerall; great-grandchildren, Austin Hattaway, Brady Jones, and Haley Ward. Services will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and visitation Friday 6:00 – 8:00PM at Norwood Chapel. In lieu of flowers financial memorials may be sent to St. Michael’s Memorial Fund designated for the labyrinth or to the Fayette County Master Gardeners. Alternatively, take time to contribute to your community through volunteer service.