Jean O Lowrey

She was born in Floresville, Texas on the 22nd of November 1927, to Corine Humphreys Oates and Arthur Edward Oates. Jean grew up in Austin, proudly attending Woolridge Elementary and Austin Junior and Senior High schools before graduating from the University of Texas in 1949 with a degree in Sociology. A member of the Iota chapter, Jean was an enthusiastic lifelong Chi Omega sorority sister.

She changed her plan to accept a job at then Humble Oil Co in Houston after falling in love with her future husband on their first few dates that summer. Jim and Jean were married the 28th of April 1950.

Jean devoted herself to being a wife and mother. Her family’s interests and hobbies had her committed encouragement and often, her participation. She unwaveringly supported her husband’s professional career. During his 20 years as CFO of Sysco Corp., she followed avidly all pertinent business developments and derived deep satisfaction from her personal relationships with members of the national Sysco family.

Jean’s priority was her family and making a warm and welcoming home for them. Her family treasures memories of gatherings in the Galveston beach house, Aspen townhouse and gracious home in Houston. When not hosting, Jean enjoyed traveling with and to see her family. She instituted a very special tradition of taking each young teenage grandchild on a trip of his or her choice. One of her favorite pastimes was taking family members shopping. Her taste ran to fine quality, timeless classics, thus her family will be wearing some of her selections for many years. She had no doubt as to the value of her role as a supportive wife, mother and grandmother, to her family’s everlasting benefit.

In addition to her unsurpassed devotion to her family, Jean will be remembered for her understated elegant style and her love for and unabashed pride in all things Texas.

Jean is survived by her husband of over 66 years, E James Lowrey; daughter, Jane Lowrey Tierney and husband John; son E James Lowrey, Jr and wife Robbie; five grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. Members of the family also include Linda Pitre and Lucha Dominguez, Jean’s partners in caring for her homes in Houston and Aspen. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary Jane Sivley and nephew Roy Sivley.

The family wishes to thank Ruthie, Ajibola, Justine and Grace who provided exceptional caregiving services, as well as the entire professional staff of Belmont Village Hunters Creek who cared for Jean these past six months.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 11th of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Wick Stuckey, Senior Associate Pastor, Pastoral Care at Chapelwood United Methodist is to officiate.

Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family suggests memorial contributions to be directed to the charity of one’s choice.