Gladys Blanche Lowe

Gladys Blanche Lowe 98 of Woodville, TX passed away peacefully at her home on Monday March 13, 2023.

Blanche was born in Camden, Ark. to Maggie (Bumstead) Courts and James Bradley Courts, and was next to the oldest of eight children.  Blanche married her first husband Elzie Franklin in 1940, becoming a military wife and in time a mother to 5 children, living in San Antonio and Post, TX until her husband died of cancer in 1953.

In 1956 she married Leo Lowe and they had two children, plus Leo’s daughter making them have eight children.  Blanche, and her family moved to Woodville in 1962 where she became a member of Harmony Baptist Church.  She belonged to the WMU, cared for babies in the nursery, and she and her husband were custodians of the Church and grounds for years.  She had a very strong relationship with the Lord and was always humming, singing, or whistling his praises.

Blanche loved traveling and visited many different states, but was always drawn to the Arkansas Mountains for camping, enjoying nature, seeing the sites, and taking pictures.  She loved growing vegetables and having pretty flowers.  Indoors she enjoyed reading, embroidery, and quilting.  Throughout her life she was a kind, generous, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Blanche is predeceased by her parents, first husband Elzie Franklin, second husband Leo Lowe, son Wayne Franklin Sr., infant son Arthur Lee Franklin, infant granddaughter Tammy McKee, grandson Billy Pierson, infant great grandson, John William McKee, sons-in-law Bud Pierson, and Jackie Read.  All Siblings W.P. (Pete) Courts, Julia Anderson, J.B. (Buddy) Courts Jr., June Gurney, Lillian Westmoreland, Vivian Stanley, and Alvin Buck Courts.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Pierson, Doris (John) McKee, Dorothy Read, and Patricia Phillips all of Woodville; Betty (T.J.) Stephens of Fred, Elizabeth Cheshire of Kountze, Sharon Lowe of Vidor, and daughter-in-law Marie Franklin of Channelview;  34 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren, 59 great, great grandchildren, and 2 great, great, great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Beth Guynes of Kennard, Bonnie McKean, Judy McKee, and Annie Hensarling all of Woodville; numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

The family would like to thank Texas Total Care Hospice for the last 5 years of service. You were always there for us as professionals but became like family through your personal and caring ways. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in their loved ones name to the Dementia Society of America, https://www.dementiasociety.org

Funeral service will be held Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11 am at the Riley Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at the Camp Ground Cemetery in Woodville.  Visitation will be held Friday from 10 am until 11 am at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Randy McKee, Johnny McKee, Charles Stephens, Matt Frazier, Thomas Pierson, and Rusty Pierson.

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