John Wharton Lowe III

The memorial for Dr. John Wharton Lowe will take place on Saturday October 28, 11:30 am -1:30 pm, in the UGA Chapel, 109 Herty Drive, Athens, Georgia. Friends, colleagues and former students will speak in the University of Georgia Chapel, followed by a catered reception on the adjacent North Lawn. If you are traveling to the program from out of town, please refer to the information below as you plan:

GROOME AIRPORT SHUTTLE: https://groometransportation.com/athens/?&sd_client_id=e45af858-ca7f-4b3b-906c-2f06427979ba

INTERSTATE DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO UGA AND CAMPUS NAVIGATION: https://visit.uga.edu/navigate/

UGA NORTH CAMPUS MAP (SEE #2 FOR CHAPEL): https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/5555100/university-of-georgia-north-campuswalking-tour-map

UGA MAIN CAMPUS MAP (THE WHOLE SHEBANG!): https://www.architects.uga.edu/sites/default/files/documents/field/maps/current/11x17campusmap.pdf

RECOMMENDED HOTELS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF OR A SHORT DRIVE TO UGA CHAPEL: University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel (1197 South Lumpkin Street, on campus): https://www.hotel.uga.edu/

Hilton Garden Athens Downtown (390 E. Washington Street, within walking distance): https://www.visitathensga.com/listing/hilton-garden-inn-athens-downtown/18/

Holiday Inn Express (513 West Broad Street, within walking distance): https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/athens/ahndt/hoteldetail

Hotel Indigo Athens (500 College Avenue, within walking distance): https://www.indigoathens.com/

Hyatt Place Athens Downtown (412 N. Thomas Street, within walking distance): https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/georgia/hyatt-place-athens-downtown/ahnza

Springhill Suites Athens Downtown (220 South Hull Street, within walking distance): https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ahnse-springhill-suites-athens-downtown-university-area/overview/

PARKING: All visitor pay facilities accept American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. In addition, all parking deck visitor parking locations have at least one machine that accepts cash. Checks are not accepted. See https://tps.uga.edu/parking/visitors.html (76-542-7275)

North Campus Deck, 330 South Jackson Street, Lot N06, is closest to the Chapel. The Herty Drive/North Bocock Street Lot N05 is a parking lot also close to the Chapel.

Downtown, it is recommended to use College or Washington Street parking decks, a short walk to campus, and just one dollar ($1 dollar) per hour.

College Avenue Parking Deck, 289 College Avenue (706-613-7978)

West Washington Street Parking Garage, 125 West Washington Street (706-613-7978)

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS: https://www.atlantaeats.com/blog/best-restaurants-athens/

https://www.redandblack.com/guides/where-to-eat-now-in-athens/article_2c192918-cfc4-11ed-be66-7f246c661493.html

John Wharton Lowe, III, of Athens, GA, passed away unexpectedly August 5, 2023, while visiting in Dillard, GA.

He was born August 10, 1945, to John Wharton Lowe, Jr. and Katherine Morgan Lowe. Dr. Lowe retired in February from the University of Georgia faculty, where he was Barbara Lester Methvin Distinguished Professor of English for the last ten years. After receiving his PhD from Columbia University in 1981, he was on the faculty at Louisiana State University for twenty-five years before moving to Georgia. He also taught at Harvard University and St. Mary’s College (Indiana) and was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Munich, Germany.

Dr. Lowe is the author of numerous books and articles on American, Southern, and African-American Literature, especially "Jump At The Sun" and "Calypso Magnolia". He was the recipient of many national and international awards. He recently completed a landmark biography of his friend, the novelist Ernest Gaines. He was especially proud of his work with students and directed twenty-nine doctoral dissertations.

He is survived by his wife of over fifty years, June Conaway Lowe of Athens, GA, brothers Stephen T. Lowe of Charlotte, NC and James T. Lowe of Nashville, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Chery Lowe Ransijn. Other survivors include his nieces, Lillian M. Ransijn and Anneke D. Ransijn, both residing in Pennsylvania.

The interment will be at Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, GA, Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to UGA Foundation, or LSU Foundation, or to an organization of your choice.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.