Jessie Beatrice Lowery

Jessie Beatrice Walton was born April 6th, 1935 in Homer, LA (Claiborne Parish), to Prentis and Ruth Walton. She was the seventh of eleven siblings and shared her April 6th birthdate with her twin sister, Vada.

Jessie accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. She attended elementary and high school in Homer, LA.

In 1954 at age 19, Jessie relocated to Portland, Oregon where she lived with her sister Gladys, and united with the Allen Temple Baptist Church.

Jessie met and married Oscar Lowery in Portland. They were wed nearly 40 years until he preceded her in death in 1997.

Thru out the years she served in Mission, Usher and Choir ministries and was exceptionally studious in group and independent Bible Studies. Her best loved scriptures were ones that affirms God’s covenant of peace and comfort in the midst of life’s storms.

Shortly thereafter, Jessie began working in Nurses’ Aide services at St. Vincent Hospital. She united with the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where she served as an usher and in the mission, and later united with the University Park Baptist Church.

She was a devoted wife to her husband and loving mother to her children, those she gave birth to, and those she cherished as her own children and felt a sincere love in return. All of the children - those who are still here and those who are with the Lord, have enjoyed a close tight knit bond with one another. This love has been passed down to the next generation. They all proudly proclaim “we are family”.

In June 1969, Jessie attained a Certificate of Practical Nursing from Portland Community College. To further her advancement in the medical field, in September 1974 she completed the required course of instruction and was awarded a certificate as an Electrocardiograph Technician.

In April 1983, she successfully completed a course in Intravenous Therapy approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Jessie went on to have an amazing career in nursing, lovingly caring for those in the community thru her healing hands in nursing. In 1997, Jessie retired after 40 years of exemplary service.

Jessie often reminisced about her mom and dad and growing up with all of her siblings. Her spirit would swell with pride and joy when sharing stories about life “down home”. She adored her family deeply and cherished the gifts of time spent together at reunions and family visits. Those were indeed “Precious Memories” that lingered and flooded her soul.

Jessie’s hobbies were flower gardening, home decorating and painting projects, fishing and taking relaxing walks. Family was very important to her, and her beautiful smile would radiate the room as she laughed and had fun with her family and friends, sharing good food and company.

She loved listening to soft instrumental jazz, easy listening vocals (Natalie Cole), Gospel (Mahalia Jackson) and loved to hear Portland’s Queen of Gospel, none other than Mother Lorene Wilder.

On Wednesday evening, March 23rd, with her son Calvin holding her hand, God whispered her name, Calvin too heard the call and released his mom, and Jessie reached out and grasped the hands of Jesus and transitioned to her heavenly home. We could hear God say “well done my good and faithful servant, well done”.

Preceding Jessie in death was her beloved husband, Oscar Lowery; her devoted parents, Prentis and Ruth Walton; her daughter, Sandra Kay Walker; the children she loved and cherished as her very own children - Thomas Lowery, Barbara Casey Bell, Larry Casey, Ava Casey, Anthony Dupree Casey, and Dale Casey; her four brothers - Marvin Walton, Harvey Eugene Walton, William “Bill” Walton, Rev. Robert Walton, her four sisters - Vyleria Mae Walton Dunn, Gladys Walton Walker, Vada Walton Battle, and Lorene Walton Carmichael.

Jessie is survived by her devoted children who will continue to celebrate her legacy of love & family - Calvin Lowery (Beaverton, OR) and Earnestine Beavers, (Boiling Brook, IL); the children she loved and cherished as her very own children - Ruby Lawrence, Oscar Casey and Lolita Casey (all of Portland, OR); her two brothers, Deacon Calvin Walton (Charlotte), (Downers Grove, IL,); and Rev. Malcolm Walton, (Crete, IL.), and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.