Howard Lowery, Sr. Funeral and Memorial
Donation protected
Howard Lowery, Sr. passed away suddenly Wednesday evening, July 15, 2020, leaving with us his beloved wife of fifty years, Martha, and son Howard, Jr. Howard was 69 years old, and he was an oilfield services salesperson with Stratagraph, Inc. Howard lived with Parkinson’s disease for many years, but he could not overcome the combination of a COVID-19 infection and Parkinson’s disease. Martha and Howard, Jr. were and are not prepared for this loss and the expenses that come with it. This gofundme effort is organized by friends of Howard, Martha and Howard, Jr. Martha and Howard, Jr. are friends in actual need. Funeral costs and Martha’s transitional expenses will be financially overwhelming. Howard and Martha have shown so many of us unconditional love and compassion.
Howard's relationship with Martha was his greatest love story. When Howard spoke of Martha, he lit up; she was his best friend and life partner of over half a century. That relationship illuminated many paths as a beacon of hope for men and women who knew Howard and Martha and felt: "I want what they have." Similarly, Howard's love for his son was deep and unconditional.
If Howard was asked about the most remarkable things about himself, he would uniformly turn the conversation to his treasured relationships with others. Inevitably, God would be first among all of them. Howard loved and followed the Lord. Martha and Howard, Jr. were his favorites, and then he would turn to various of the thousands upon thousands of men and women who Howard helped and served throughout his days. Howard’s sharing was never about the kind things and good deeds he did for these many persons – and feel comfortable that there were countless kind and good things Howard did on a daily basis for others with, yet with no expectation of getting anything in return. Howard simply talked about the wonderful people he encountered and how much he loved them. Howard was actually more interested in them than in himself. He was anonymous about the things he did for others, seeking no credit or accolades.
Howard was not shy to share stories about the demons he suffered as a younger man. But for just over 40 years, Howard had found a solution that held those deadly demons at bay, each and every day. The solution seemed to be a paradox: Howard surrendered as helpless, and he asked God, as he understood God, to help him. He then embarked upon a lifelong process of recognizing and acknowledging his character deficiencies and willingness to abate them; reaching out to those he had wronged and seeking to right those wrongs; striving always to grow spiritually in his relationship with the Lord; and most importantly, expressing his faith in God though action, demonstrated by a consistent, robust willingness to help others who were still suffering as he once suffered. Howard was quick to share that he wasn’t shooting at perfection, but instead progress.
As Howard grew as a man and in spirit, Howard became the rare person who lived his life as a servant of others, often an invisible servant. He practiced distinct principles of living that exemplify and underscore his steadfast willingness to, and love for helping others in need. Howard experienced love, joy, serenity and peace in his life. He loved to laugh and make us laugh. He made our lives better. We trust that he is with the Lord now. We will miss him deeply, but having known Howard, we have experienced a brilliant and lasting example of well established principles of living a good life in actual practice.
This will be a terribly difficult and challenging time for Martha and Howard, Jr. We can help. Prayers are appreciated, and we believe they work. Offering funds – whatever we can, no matter how much or little - to share in the expenses for a proper funeral and memorial would be a great expression of love and gratitude. And providing modest transitional funds for Martha to regain her financial footing and continue on her path would exemplify the principles by which Howard lived his life.
A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2020 @ 2:00 PM CDT at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia, Mississipi, followed by a graveside service.
UPDATE
Because Howard had COVID-19, some family members have been quarantined. As a result, the family has decided to postpone Howard's funeral until early August. We'll keep you posted on arrangements.
With love,
Friends of Howard L.
Howard's relationship with Martha was his greatest love story. When Howard spoke of Martha, he lit up; she was his best friend and life partner of over half a century. That relationship illuminated many paths as a beacon of hope for men and women who knew Howard and Martha and felt: "I want what they have." Similarly, Howard's love for his son was deep and unconditional.
If Howard was asked about the most remarkable things about himself, he would uniformly turn the conversation to his treasured relationships with others. Inevitably, God would be first among all of them. Howard loved and followed the Lord. Martha and Howard, Jr. were his favorites, and then he would turn to various of the thousands upon thousands of men and women who Howard helped and served throughout his days. Howard’s sharing was never about the kind things and good deeds he did for these many persons – and feel comfortable that there were countless kind and good things Howard did on a daily basis for others with, yet with no expectation of getting anything in return. Howard simply talked about the wonderful people he encountered and how much he loved them. Howard was actually more interested in them than in himself. He was anonymous about the things he did for others, seeking no credit or accolades.
Howard was not shy to share stories about the demons he suffered as a younger man. But for just over 40 years, Howard had found a solution that held those deadly demons at bay, each and every day. The solution seemed to be a paradox: Howard surrendered as helpless, and he asked God, as he understood God, to help him. He then embarked upon a lifelong process of recognizing and acknowledging his character deficiencies and willingness to abate them; reaching out to those he had wronged and seeking to right those wrongs; striving always to grow spiritually in his relationship with the Lord; and most importantly, expressing his faith in God though action, demonstrated by a consistent, robust willingness to help others who were still suffering as he once suffered. Howard was quick to share that he wasn’t shooting at perfection, but instead progress.
As Howard grew as a man and in spirit, Howard became the rare person who lived his life as a servant of others, often an invisible servant. He practiced distinct principles of living that exemplify and underscore his steadfast willingness to, and love for helping others in need. Howard experienced love, joy, serenity and peace in his life. He loved to laugh and make us laugh. He made our lives better. We trust that he is with the Lord now. We will miss him deeply, but having known Howard, we have experienced a brilliant and lasting example of well established principles of living a good life in actual practice.
This will be a terribly difficult and challenging time for Martha and Howard, Jr. We can help. Prayers are appreciated, and we believe they work. Offering funds – whatever we can, no matter how much or little - to share in the expenses for a proper funeral and memorial would be a great expression of love and gratitude. And providing modest transitional funds for Martha to regain her financial footing and continue on her path would exemplify the principles by which Howard lived his life.
A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2020 @ 2:00 PM CDT at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia, Mississipi, followed by a graveside service.
UPDATE
Because Howard had COVID-19, some family members have been quarantined. As a result, the family has decided to postpone Howard's funeral until early August. We'll keep you posted on arrangements.
With love,
Friends of Howard L.
Organizer and beneficiary
Don Massey
Organizer
Columbia, MS
Martha Lowery
Beneficiary