Gayle M Lowder

Born August 24, 1959 in Wake County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Wallace Henry Midgette and Sue Carol Smith Midgette.

Gayle was a 1982 graduate of UNC-Greensboro, where she received a degree in Fashion Merchandising. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Newton where she had taught Sunday school, started the Prayer Shawl Ministry and was a member and former officer of the United Methodist Women. She was employed by Vanguard Furniture in Conover, where she had worked in Human Resources. Gayle was a member and past president of Newton-Conover Women’s Club, member and past officer at the Catawba County 4-H Club, volunteer with the Corner Table in Newton, former member of the Festival & Events Committee with the City of Newton, and was active with the Green Room Community Theatre in Newton. This incredible level of service to her church, community, and family was done during her courageous 7 year battle with cancer.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 15 years, Thomas H. Lowder, of the home; daughter, Hannah C. Lowder, of the home; brother, Barry L. Midgette and wife, Katrina, of Willard, NC; nephews, Logan and Avery Midgette, both of Willard, NC; sister-in-law, Susan Knox and husband, Lee, of Charlotte, NC; stepson, Todd Houtz and wife Beth, of Goldsboro, NC; stepdaughter, Shannon Armstrong and husband, Rob of Mt. Holly, NC, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Newton. The Rev. Dr. David Greene, Rev. Lara Greene, and Rev. Stephen Smith will officiate.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 13, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home in Newton.

The family respectfully requests that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 926, Newton, NC or Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658