M. Banks Lowry, Sr.

COLUMBIA – Funeral services for M. Banks Lowry, Sr. will be held Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service in the church dining room.

Banks died peacefully at home with his family by his side after dealing with various cancers for over 13 years. He attributes his success in beating a number of the cancers to a great God, good medicine and his wonderful doctors, Dr. Bradley Word and Dr. Steven Minter.

Born in Chester, SC, to the late Bright Lowry “Shine” and Rebecca Lowry, he was raised and graduated from high school in 1966 in Great Falls, SC. He attended Montreat Anderson Junior College where he was Student Body President his sophomore year, then graduated from USC in 1970 with a degree in banking and finance. At USC he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. The majority of his career was spent in commercial office furniture sales and office design.

Banks was a long time faithful member of TRUMC where he chaired and served on a number of committees. He loved his church and, most especially, the Hope Sunday School class. Over the years he participated in many volunteer activities throughout the community, one of the most meaningful being his involvement in building homes with Habitat for Humanity for a number of years.

After college he served 6 years in the Army Reserve. He was a long time member of the Business Association of Columbia.

One of his greatest pleasures for over 3 decades was sitting in Williams Brice Stadium watching the Gamecocks with his wife, children and friends. His greatest joy was spending time with his family (3 children and 4 grandchildren). Woodworking, camping and boating in Murrells Inlet at Garden City were hobbies and pleasures he enjoyed.

Banks was a true gentleman of the highest integrity, a dear friend to many, and was loved and respected by all who knew him well. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He will forever be remembered for his kindness, generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Willa Roper Lowry; 3 children, Beau Lowry (Erin) of Mt. Pleasant, Paige Leonard (Doug) of Wilmington, NC, Eliza Lowry of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; 4 grandchildren, Emma and Finley Lowry and Miles and Campbell Leonard; 2 brothers, Dr. Bright Lowry (Judy) and Rev. James Lowry (Martha), as well as brother- in-law, Ed Roper (Karen) and sister-in-law, Lee Roper, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the outstanding caregivers at Baptist Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, the family hopes you will consider a memorial to Epworth Children’s Home, 2900 Millwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205.