Gloria Jean Lowe

Gloria Jean Teel Lowe, 80 yrs. of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2023 of Alzheimer’s. Gloria Jean was born in Big Springs, Texas on May 30th, 1943 to James and Mary Teel. She was the eldest of 9 children, living mostly in Pensacola, FL. where she graduated from Pensacola High School in 1961 and remained there working at the Paper Mill near Cantonment as well as volunteering at the Baptist Salvation Army church with her sisters Faye and Sue. The three of them also sung in the choir, played musical instruments and were bell ringers for the Salvation Army. Because their family was so large Christmas presents were, for many years, graciously donated by the Salvation Army. As their family grew larger some of the older siblings moved in with their Granny Lawson, still local here in Pensacola, however every Sunday they would all gather together to break bread, specifically Granny’s yummy buttermilk biscuits.

When Gloria Jean was 20 yrs. in 1963 her first daughter Janet Sue was born. They lived mainly with her Granny Lawson, alternating back and forth from her Mother’s house to her Granny’s house. Four generations living, loving, learning and surviving.

In the spring of 1964 Gloria Jean met Harry Lowe; this charismatic, dashing young Navy man won her heart and they were married just a few months later here in Pensacola. He also adopted Janet Sue to be his daughter and they became a family, welcoming another daughter Colleen Jean in March of 1965. Soon after that Harry took his wife and two daughters overseas to live an exciting new life, stationed in many different exotic countries. While in the Navy they lived in the Philippines, Hawaii, Taiwan, and domestically in Maryland. After 20 years in the Navy, Harry retired and he and Gloria Jean went to work for the State Department, which meant more oversea tours with the family to far off, even more exotic lands: Afghanistan, Thailand, India, China and back to The Philippines. While they were in Kabul (no television), Gloria Jean’s third daughter was born, Charlotte Marie, who truly was a joy to all our lives. Her sisters were teenagers by that time, and since Kabul was Harry’s first post overseas after retiring from the Navy we called Charlotte, Dad’s retirement present.

After traveling the world, being each other’s best friends and more in love then when they first met, Harry and Jean went home and retired in 1989 settling down in Pensacola where this love story first began.

Back when they were first married, Gloria Jean converted to Catholicism. When they returned to Pensacola they registered as parishioners at Little Flower Catholic Church, and were both very active as volunteers; Gloria Jean was president of the Lady’s Sodality group, they were both in the Fil-Am group, she washed church linens, sung in the choir, was a lector, made quilts and donated them so they could be raffled off. She also enjoyed being a Mary Kay representative and dabbled in Real Estate.

Gloria Jean eventually became a caregiver in her home, caring for her mother and brother then later her mother-in law. Very difficult times but she always gave 100% in her efforts and having a strong prayer life at church God was her salvation and strength, for example, she and Harry would attend Adoration to visit with Jesus at 3am, regularly.

Once the both of them became homebound their daughter Colleen and her husband Johnny housed them and between the three sisters all cared for Mom having dementia and Dad with Lewey Body Parkinson’s. Little Flower Church would send Holy Communion to their house which was a blessing. After a while, they moved back into their old home where Charlotte, their youngest daughter was their primary caregiver. During that time the Lady’s Soldality of Little Flower Church brought hot meals to them and Charlotte’s family, this was a huge help and relief. The family has come full circle with Harry and Jean’s church of over 35 years now that their daughter Janet Sue is the Music Director and Cantor.

Gloria Jean’s beloved husband Harry passed away 6 months ago in December. She is survived by her daughters Janet, Colleen and Charlotte along with grandchildren Sonny, Katie, Chris, Bobby, Jonathan, Lavinia, Silas and numerous great grandchildren. Her cousin Charlotte in Las Vegas was loved and missed as well as her other cousin Jeff and both their parents Harley and Gwen, her mother’s sister.

The family will receive family and friends at Oak Lawn Funeral Home in Pensacola on Tuesday evening 7/11 from 5-8pm and then again on Wednesday 7/12 10:30am at Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola. After the funeral Mass there will be a luncheon served from 11:30am – 1:30pm after which the funeral cortege will depart the church at 1:30pm for Barrancas National Cemetery where interment and final blessings will take place.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Lowe family.