Wanda Lou Lowery

Wanda Lou Ritch Lowery, 81, of Van Buren, went home to our Lord on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at her home, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born April 10, 1942 in Fayetteville to the late Andrew and Susie (Guist) Ritch. Wanda received her education from Fayetteville Public Schools. Following her studies there, she went to work in food services at the University of Arkansas’s Brough Commons Dining Hall. Her time at Brough Commons helped expand her culinary skills and made her a wonderful cook, an excellent service provider, and allowed her the opportunity to meet wonderful people from all walks of life.

At the tender age of 21, Wanda met and married Less Lowery of Van Buren. The two made their home in Van Buren and raised three beautiful children; Debbie, Melissa and Terrel. Life wasn’t always easy, but Wanda was a proud homemaker and she worked very hard to make sure that her household was always clean and well organized, and that there were always good meals on the table for her family, while her husband Less worked to provide for them. As a stay-at-home mother, she taught her children the importance of serving our Lord, Jesus, and went to church faithfully at the Free Will Baptist Church under Pastor Keith Hatton.

Wanda loved the Lord. She was well known for always singing songs of praise and worship both at church and in her everyday life. Wanda also led family prayer sessions at gatherings and ministered to anyone and everyone who would listen. Wanda was at her best when she was involved in leading others to the Lord and calling them to worship at church. Not only was she a faithful servant to her Lord and church, she also served her community by volunteering to sing in area Nursing Homes along with her husband Less. The two enjoyed many other activities together, like going for long car rides, enjoying nature and visiting their family members who are spread out in the northwest Arkansas area. Their favorite activity, though, was going to garage sales and estate sales, where they amassed a treasure trove of antiques and collectibles.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Debbie; her sisters, Peggy Mowery, Thelma Sager, Margaret Ritch, and Sis Ritch; her brothers, Orville Ritch and Cotton Ritch; a niece, Susie Ritch; and a nephew, Jason Cronn.

She leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Less Lowery; a daughter, Melissa Andrews and husband Dan; a son, Terrell Lowery and wife Lisa; her sisters, Mary Mitchell, Linda Stamps, and Vera Jackson; her brothers, Ricky Ritch and Jackie Ritch; five beloved grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Bryant Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Michael Gartrell, Kenneth Raper, Tom Collins, Rodney Lowery, Preston Barker, John Hutton, Jackie Ritch, and Marcus Rogers.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.