Mary Nell Lowder

Mary Lowder graduated high school in the time frame of the Korean war. Her husband (James Ray Lowder) was to be drafted if they did not get married and he could get deferment as head of the household. So Mary was 17 and James Ray was 19 when they began their family adventure. Both were born in Oklahoma and met in Tulsa. Within three years they had two girls. Dad took a job in Kansas and Mary was full time housewife and mama. They opened an electronics business and FM radio station while in Kansas, but alas, lost it in a turn-down of the economy in the late 60’s. Dad got a job in Refugio, Texas working as an electrician on the ARCO pipeline. Mom continued to be a housewife for two more years and then got a job at a local gas company. After a year or so, she went to work for the school district as secretary to the business manager. She did the books for the whole Refugio school system for about 10 years and “retired”. I guess retirement did not sit well with either Mom or Dad, so they opened a DISH satellite business in Refugio and ran that for many years. They had been enjoying their retirement until the last five years when Mom began having symptoms of dementia. The disease has taken her away from us slowly and painfully over the last 6 years. We lost her to her final home with the lord on Oct 11, 2020. Her husband of almost 69 years is still living independently in Woodsboro, Tx.

Mary Nell is deserving of our love as she gave it to us—unconditionally. We miss you Mom and consider these last few days with you your final blessing to us. God’s speed.