Anna Paul Rainier Lowe

Anna Paul Rainier Lowe, 100, was born September 29, 1910 in Brookston, Indiana the daughter of Orville J. and Edna Paul Rainier. She attended school in Brookston, Indiana, until 1926 when her family moved to Fountain County. She was graduated from Covington High School in 1928. She was enrolled at Indiana University for one-year and graduated from Purdue University in 1932 with a Major in Home Economics. 1932-1935 she served as an Assistant in Food Services at the Knightstown Soldiers and Sailors Childrens’ Home, Lazarus Department Store, Columbus Ohio and the Faculty Club, Ohio State University. 1935-1941. She was the Dietitian in Residence Halls, at Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA; 1941-43 Director of Residence Halls and Instructor in Home Economics, Knox College, Galesburg, IL, where she received a commendation from the Department of War for her work feeding the Army Air Corps Cadets stationed in Galesburg; 1943-1947 Assistant Director of Residence Halls and Instructor in Home Economics Mills College Oakland, California. She began her Masters’ Degree in Nutrition at Columbia University in New York City in 1936-37 in 1946 she received a Master of Arts degree in Institutional Management, from Mills College, and in 1947-1948 she was employed as a Nutrition Specialist, Purdue University Extensions Service. In 1947-48 she served as the Associate Professor of Nutrition in the Purdue University College of Agriculture. November 7, 1948 she was married to Walter B. Lowe and has resided in Greensburg since. Mrs. Lowe was a member of the First Christian Church, where she served as Superintendent of the junior department and was an Elder. She was an Auxiliary member of Sigma Chapter Psi Iota Xi, and Chapter T, P.E.O. Sisterhood. She served on the Board of Directors of the Greensburg Daily News and the Rushville Republican Publishing Company. She was a Girls Scouts Leader of Troop 12 for 5 years; served 16 years on the Greensburg Carnegie Library Board, was one of the organizers of the Decatur County Day Care, and served as a member of the Y.M.C.A. Board and the South Park Cemetery Board. In 1973 she was given a Certificate of Distinction by the Decatur County Extension Service Committee, she and Mr. Lowe were joint recipients of the Greensburg Area Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 1976. Survivors include: Daughters, Rev. Margaret Ann (Peter) Lowe-Smith and Mary Elizabeth Lowe; Nieces, Ruth (Brent) Brown, Ellen Rainier, Melissa Rainier; Great Nephews, Joshua (Jamie) Brown, David Brown, Adam Rainier; and Great Niece, Taylor Rainier. She was preceded in death by: her Parents; her Husband, Walter Batterton Lowe; Brother and Sister-in-Law, Carl and Florence Rainier; and Nephew, Retired Lt. Col. John P. Rainier. A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Also a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the First Christian Church. Rev. Travis T. DuPriest, Rev. Margaret Lowe-Smith, and Pastor Danny Wolford will officiate at the Funeral Service. Burial will follow at the South Park Cemetery with a P.E.O. Sisterhood graveside service. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Decatur County Family YMCA, Invest in Youth, the Decatur County Foundation, or to Planned Parenthood. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com