Frances Burkett Lowe

Frances Burkett Lowe was called home to be with our Lord on April 13, 2015. Born to Lurilla McMurtry and Lionel Victor Burkett on July 26, 1924 in McCrory, Arkansas, she was the youngest of five children. She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Arthur Lowe, her parents, her great granddaughter, Jana Kate Gendy, her sister, Rose, and her three big brothers, Billy John Burkett, Lionel Victor (Bud) Burkett, Jr. and Roger Burkett. Fran is survived by her four daughters and their spouses, Beverly and Jimmie Sain, Libba and Rob Byrne, Cindy and Kyle Amyx and Leigh and Nathan Chiara, grandchildren Scott and Alison Sain, William (Bucky) and Stephanie Dusek, Kevin and Christy Dusek, Ashley and BJ Williams, Cindy and Mike Busta, Sarah and Peter Gendy, Kimmie and Patrick Longstreet, Brett Amyx, Susan and Phil Hughes, Kelsey Amyx, Lauren Amyx, Katy Chiara and Kristin Chiara, great-grandchildren Colson, Avery, Emma, Lynley, Cate, Brooke, Charli, Claire, Blake, Andrew, Bowen, Beckett, Grant, and more on the way! Fran did everything well, extremely well. She graduated from McCrory High School at the age of sixteen and attended colleges in Arkansas, Mexico, Missouri, Wisconsin and Tennessee. Earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a double major in English and Spanish, she immediately began teaching ninth grade English until she turned twenty-one and was able to work for American Airlines. She soon met her future husband and she and Bill were wed March 25, 1949. They were happily married for fifty-three years, until Bill's passing in 2003. After several years as a homemaker and stay-at-home-mom, Fran went back to school to earn her teaching certificate at the University of Tennessee. While raising four daughters, she taught English and Spanish in high schools and one junior high school, wherever Bill's job would take them - Jackson, Tennessee, Mobile, Alabama, Richmond, Virginia, and Spring, Texas - all the while, providing a loving home with a warm, well-balanced home-cooked meal for dinner each and every night. She was known to be an amazing cook and to sew the girls beautiful clothes with love in every stitch, including Easter, prom and bridesmaids' dresses, costumes and gifts, as well as draperies and reupholstering. She enjoyed knitting, music and singing. Reading was her passion. She and Bill shared the enjoyment of their beautiful house and lawn and of bird watching from their windows and patio at their home in North Houston. As a well-respected teacher in five states, Fran touched so many lives. She was ‘Head of English and Foreign Language Department’ in all schools she taught after receiving her teacher certification and was voted "Teacher of the Year" while at Bammel Middle School in North Houston, Spring ISD. After retiring from teaching, she became a volunteer with the Houston Northwest Medical Center Auxiliary, very soon becoming its president. Fran was committed to her family, always putting her husband and children before herself. The quintessential Southern lady, Fran exuded calm and grace at all times - strong and proud, extremely intelligent, always a flawless appearance, perfect grammar, multitalented, brilliant bridge player, but most of all, a wonderful mother. She has left a huge legacy of love of family and will always be remembered as the example of excellence that she was. The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks for the extraordinary care their mother received over the last twelve years. Lillian, thank you for "being there" for Mama and the family day and night. Your strength and commitment and love for our Lord helped us all. Mama loved you so much. Rebecca, we thank you for taking care of Mama until the end and beyond. You, too, went above and beyond. Mama trusted you and knew you had her best interest at heart. You two ladies will always be 'family' to us. To the entire Elim Home Healthcare staff, thank you for your compassion and the incredible care our mother received by all of you. Whiterock Court, your friendships were, and continue to be, so appreciated; thank you for being such loving, thoughtful and caring friends. You are our family too. A Funeral Service celebrating Fran's life will be held Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of the VA Houston National Cemetery. The Reverend Cathy Richardson from John Wesley United Methodist Church will officiate.

Frances Burkett Lowe

July 26, 1924 - April 13, 2015