Ida Frances Poeppelmeier

Ida Frances Lowery Poeppelmeier, age 79, of Dadeville, AL died peacefully in her home surrounded by love on December 11, 2021, in time to spend Christmas with her beloved family members and friends in Heaven.

Welcoming her there are her husband Jim Poeppelmeier; parents, Ruben and Frances Lowery; siblings Mattie Lou Lowery Bryan, Charles Lowery, Dan Lowery and wife Betty, and Harvey Lowery. She is also predeceased by great-nephew Taylor Lowery.

Born March 15, 1942 in Greenville, AL, Frances grew up in Montgomery. She became an educator, teaching at the high school and college level for many years. Once described as “the good-looking teacher in a mini-skirt” by a former student, she chaperoned many an adventurous trip for students --- providing fun and discipline in equal measures. Her influence on young people was felt in both in her classrooms and through her church work.

In each city she lived in, she was active in her church, placing God at the center of her life. Her faith provided her the strength to face any challenge life provided and she shared the importance of God’s love with others.

Frances had a servant’s heart. She loved doing for others and often demonstrated her love through home-baked cookies, cakes, and sweets. She also loved flowers, antiques, dolls, traveling, decorating, the color pink, and especially Christmas. Most of all, she loved the people lucky enough to be in her life.

She will be especially missed by her favorite brother-in-law, Toney Bryan, whom she spoiled with many treats, coconut cakes, and love. She will also be missed by her dear sister-in-law, Susie Lowery.

Perhaps her greatest legacy is the investment she made in the lives of her nieces and nephews and their children in turn. Affectionately known as Aint, she provided the love, and discipline, of an additional parent. She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Susan Bryan, Stacey Bryan (Bob Stallman), Tim Bryan (Heather), Ricky Lowery (Melissa), Stewart Lowery, Tom Lowery (Terri), Trent Lowery (Josephine), and Dan Lowery (Kelly). Her influence lives on through the greats: Logan Lowery, Lawson Lowery, Amanda Scott (Cody), Mattison Bryan, Brad Lowery, Blake Lowery, Trent Lowery, Savannah (Noah) Glover, Harrison Lowery, Sara Frances Lowery, Sophie Lowery, Sarah Parker Lowery, Mae Lowery, Jackson Lowery and Samantha Lowery.

Special thanks to those who took care of her in her final months, loving her and becoming family in our hearts: Ashley Hernandez, Katherine Janke, “second sister” Judy Howell, Marion Slaughter, Gwendolyn Lovejoy, and Margaret Hawse. Thanks also to Nikki and Natalie and the rest of the staff of Encompass Health Hospice-Alexander City for their compassionate care.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 16th at 1:00 p.m. at White Chapel – Greenwood Funeral Home with a graveside memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Patrick Gilbert officiating. The family requests that masks be worn following Covid protocol.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations celebrating Frances and her legacy may be made to faith-based organizations working to share God’s love, to any organization providing food and compassion to others, or to the charity of your choice.