Glendeen Lowe

Glendeen Delores Lowe, a long-time resident of Long Beach, passed away Monday the 6th of April at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. She was 4 days shy of 101 years old.
Glendeen was born to Okey Roy and Theodocia Hersman Swisher on April 10, 1914, in Speed, WV. She liked to add that she was born in her mother's bedroom with a family doctor for less than $25.
She grew up on a on her parent's farm where her father raised Thoroughbred horses and Hereford cattle. On the farm, Glendeen could be found milking the cows, riding the work horses in the hayfield, gathering fruit from the trees, or planting gardens.
She graduated from Spencer High School in 1934. She had a scholarship to a business college, but thankfully for Opie Lowe, her dad wouldn't let her attend, believing that she should instead get married and have children. That same year, she married Opie. They later moved to Morgantown, WV where he attended college and where her first child was born.
In 1944, when Opie left for Great Lakes, Illinois for a Navy assignment, she maintained her own house and farm while raising her 4 children at the time. Because she did not drive, her parents would take her weekly to town so that she could buy her food and supplies. Family and friends continued this task throughout her life, as she and others quickly realized that she was a better backseat driver.
Glendeen volunteered in her community by assisting returning servicemen from WWII. Their needs were many, and years later she would teach her own children the art of making house shoes from a newspaper, a trick she had learned during her volunteer days.
With her husband's job transfer, Glendeen moved with her family to Long Beach in 1960. Bringing with her flower bulbs from her mother, she continued to plant and maintain her own vegetable and flower gardens with her natural ""green thumb."" She also enjoyed sewing and reading.
Growing up during the depression, Glendeen had a way of extending the life of every bar of soap and gift bag and stretching each dollar down to the penny. She tells of how she found a dime in her pocket during her visit to the city while pregnant, and instead of spending it on the candy she craved as she walked past the candy store, she instead saved it for future use. Her simple ways were an example to all those around her that the best things in life were not things at all.
For the last 55 years, her home has been the place of many fun-filled, joyful memories for her family, friends, and neighbors. Her house was the family gathering site where holidays and family occasions were celebrated, her 5 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren played, laughed, and grew up, families vacationed, and visitors were constant and always welcomed. When distance separated family and loved ones, she called and wrote often to maintain the relationships with those who meant so much to her. Her simple reply of ""well"" to most statements brings giggles and a smile to those closest to her, realizing that the reply meant so many things depending on the way she said it and the information that preceded it. Well, we love you and miss you. You are gone, but not forgotten!
Surviving are the loved ones of her life, son, David Allen Lowe and grandchildren John, Candace, and Kimberly; daughter, Sandra Lowe Gipson, husband, Ed Gipson, and grandchildren, Michael (Mike) and Machelle (Shelley); son, Charles Edwin Lowe, wife, Sharron French Lowe, and grandchildren, Amber and Lissa; daughter, Shirley Lowe Hillman, husband, James B. (Jimmy) Hillman, grandchildren, Burton and Jennifer. She also has 23 great grandchildren, as well as, many members of her extended family in West Virginia.
Glendeen was preceded in death by her parents, Okey and Theodocia Swisher; her husband, Opie C. Lowe; her son, John S. Lowe; her grandson, Eric Lowe; her siblings, Truman Swisher, Harry Swisher, Selby Swisher, Gordon Swisher, and Marjorie Swisher; and her daughter-in-law, Phyllis Epling Lowe.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Glendeen's life this Thursday, April 9, 2015 at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM with a prayer service beginning at 12:30 PM. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. Because of her love for animals, in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the local Humane Society.
Our family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Douglas Lanier, his nurse, Johnelle, RN, the ICU 5th Floor physician, nurses, and staff at Memorial Hospital, and her caregivers, Johnell Dowdy, Jeannie Horgan, Mary Hampel, and Susanna Gregg for the kindness and excellent care our mother, Glendeen, received during her recent illness. Of course we are saddened by her death, but we are comforted in knowing that she received such wonderful care. The sensitivity and support of all helped us through what was a very difficult time, and we will never forget your kindness.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, is serving the family, and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com