Peggy Lowes

Peggy Rae Watson Lowes, a woman who possessed enormous passion, determination and a great sense of fun, died peacefully at her home in Jackson on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016. She was 80 years old.

Peggy was a woman of diverse interests. She worked as a journalist, a social worker and a landlord; however, her most challenging, as well as rewarding, role may have been as the sounding board, counselor, companion and frequent conscience for her husband of 56 years, Albert C. Lowes, who practiced law in the Cape Girardeau area, beginning in 1959.

Peggy was born May 12, 1936, in Bay City, Michigan. Her parents were Raymond M. and Vera T. (Rousch) Watson. She was their fourth and youngest child.

Her early years were marked by adversity. She was burned over 40 percent of her body in 1939 and then had to spend more than two years away from her family at the Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit healing. These early years were very formative for her.

After her recovery, she returned to Bay City. She graduated from Bay City High School in 1954 and spent two years at a local junior college before transferring to the University of Missouri-Columbia to complete her bachelor of arts in journalism, which she received in 1959. While she was a student at Mizzou, she met her future husband.

Peggy Lowes

Albert was able to convince Peggy to move to Southeast Missouri after graduation. She began a career as a reporter at the Southeast Missourian in 1959. She often joked she always wanted to be a foreign correspondent and felt she had, in fact, become one when she moved to Cape Girardeau.

She did, however, happily settle into life in Southeast Missouri when they married Aug. 27, 1960, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

Albert and Peggy were blessed with, and occasionally challenged by, their three children, Danita Rae Lowes, Albert Charles Lowes II and Kurt Brandon Lowes. All three children obtained both bachelor and graduate degrees.

Danita resides in Sydney, Australia, and Jackson, Wyoming. Albert lives in Oklahoma City. Kurt is a resident of Oak Park, Illinois. All three are married. They managed to delight both Peggy and Albert with four grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Danita and her husband, David Fite, are the parents of Hayden Lowes Fite, 13, Blake Watson Fite, 11, Zara Alderson Fite, 11, and Nicole Clara Bennett-Fite, 22. Nicole is a resident of Oakland, California.

Albert and his wife, Susan Starkey Lowes, are parents to Ashley Whiting, 26. Ashley and her husband, Daniel, also reside in Oklahoma City.

Kurt and his wife, Crystal Kennedy Lowes, are the parents of Ascher Delson Lowes, 7.

After the birth of her children, Peggy followed the norm of the day and ended her journalism career to devote her time to parenting. She remained actively involved in the lives of her children. She was often a friend, confidant and source of fun to the many children and young adults who journeyed through the Lowes household in Jackson. Although many were intimidated by her husband, they all found Peggy to be a cheerful presence and a source of support when needed.

During these years, Peggy also pursued many other interests. She was a charter member and active in St. Mark Lutheran Church, various charities including Meals on Wheels, and spent time with her many friends and neighbors.

As her children grew, she decided to return to full-time employment. She was employed for over 21 years by the state of Missouri as a social worker and supervisor in the Child Support Enforcement Division. Peggy also acted as a manager of 20 family-owned apartments.

Peggy was a member of the Jackson Elks. She was a lifetime member of the Cape Girardeau VFW Auxiliary Post and a 40-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Jackson.

In her later years, she struggled with some health-related issues. She did, however, remain passionate about travel and new challenges. She would journey to any destination one of her children might suggest. She also remained a devoted wife, mother and friend. She will be missed by many.

Peggy is survived by her husband; children; grandchildren; a sister, Lynn Bauder of Lansing, Michigan; four sisters-in-law, Mary Watson of Bay City, Jean Paden of Maysville, Missouri, Mary Lowes of Cape Girardeau and Jeanne Lowes of McKinney, Texas; a brother-in-law, Guy Lowes of McKinney; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Richard Watson; a sister, Laurel Culver; and two nephews, Steven Culver and John Watson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Michael S. Malone officiating. Entombment will be at the Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Children's Hospital of Michigan, for the Peggy Watson Lowes Tribute Fund.

Donations can be mailed to: Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation, 3901 Beaubien, Mail slot 257, Detroit MI 48201, or made online at chmfoundation.org/donate-now/ by clicking the link for memorial gifts.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.