Lowry Descendants Meet in Tennessee for Their 14th
Family Reunion
forty six descendants front the II II Cowry family gathered, from seven
states and I he District of Columbia, in lennessee for their reunion. Six boys
and three girls ol the H. II. and Julia Revels l.ovsry family were born and
grew-up in the Hopewell Community beginning in 18^0 I he descendants
are from this family's Stella lota. Viola Kstellc. and Telford A. I.owry Lineage.
The stale of lennessee had the most present with 16 and North Carolina
was a close second w ith 14. as Brother Tolbert from Gastonia had all 12
family connections in attendance. Jane Armstrong Tarrell. along with family
members, served as host fro this family gathering. The Music Road Hotel in
Pigeon forge served as our headquarters the third weekend in October The
large lobby with ample seating in this family oriented hotel was ideal for
families to maintain on-going relationships.
Jane and an older brother Bill Armstrong are the children of f rank and
Viola Cowry Armstrong, and grew up in the Knoxville area. Her brother died
several years ago from complications with his heart. We enjoyed a friday
evening catered meal in a banquet room in the hotel prov ided by their Tennessee
family connections. Our cousin Jane and family sponsored a cookout
under a shelter in a park outside Gatlinburgon Saturday evening. On Sunday
morning we traveled to East Knoxv ille to attend the morning worship service
at The Macedonia United Methodist Church, the home church of The
Armstrong family. The Cowry descendants gathered in the church's social
hall after service for a delicious meal prepared by cousin Jane and her family.
On Saturday she had promised some of us a surprise dessert for Sunday 's
meal. It turned out to be one of those home-cooked layered cakes slacked
high with thin layers like the ones both our mothers prepared for their families.
My favorite was a coconut cake w ith raisius sprinkled between the layers.
Cousin Jane's cake had an apple flavor, which we all enjoyed.
Jane and Bill Armstrong had very little contact with their first cousins growing
up in Robeson County during their youth. She and I remember the only
visit to Robeson County to visit her maternal grand parents during the early
1930s, she being around 4 years of age and 1 about 2 years older. She remembers
her North Carolina cousins giving her a ride on Grandpa's buggy, pushing
it up and down the yard and driveway while Brother Marvin filled in as
the horse Cousin Jane didn't learn of her l.umbee connection until adulthood
after attending l.owry family reunions in Tennessee and one in Pembroke in
1988 She is quite interested in learning more about her Lowry side of the
famils. I prepared a famils album as a surprise gift, and presented it to her
during our Sunday meal after church. I made copies from a famils album I
have been putting together oser the sears, sshich I thought would capture her
interest It contained Lowry genealogy. photos, and "creative writing" about
The Lowrys and experiences growing up in Robeson County. There were
copies of photos of Cjranpa II H. Lowry's house as it appeared in 1900 and
1993. There were copies of photos of 3 great uncles and one great aunt. 3 of
which lived to be over 100 sears of age. Uncle Telford's daughter inquired
about a picture of II. II. l.owry. I have never seen a picture of our grandpa,
ssho was the eldest son of Calvin Lowry. I would love to get a cops of his
picture for my family album if one is available.
Several members of the clan are in favor of continuing yearly family reunions.
because our age is becoming a factor to consider. I passed the threequarter
century mark whole in Tennessee. Brother Marvin svill be entering
the 8th decade of his life next summer if sve can keep him healthy. Brother
Murrill is quite close on the heels of his older brother age-wise. The last day
of May in 2002 Brother Cecil B.. the youngest son. will be entering the 7th,
decade of his life if he takes care of himself. At that time all 6 brothers will be
in the 7th decade of their lives for a period of 2 months and 3 days. Sister
Barbara doesn't have any anxiety that the record shows she was bom 2 years.
I month, and 8 days after her youngest brother. All the children were bom at
home on the family farm in Robeson County except Brother Marvin. He was
bom in a hospital in Richmond. Virginia where our Dad was working as a
street car motorman.
We made no definite plans for a reunion next year, but there was talk of
working something around the end of July or the first of August to celebrate
Brother Marvin's special birthday. Family reunions offer a very useful mechanism
for maintaining strong family ties.
by Ronald H. Lowry
Jane Armstrong Farrell about to receive her surprise gift from her cousin Ronald.
Brother Cecil B. and wife Sandy from California listen to the presentation.
*
The Lowrya in Parking lot at Macedonia United Methodiat Church in Knoxvilto,
Left to right: Ronald, Murrill, Curiiaa, Barbara, Tolbert, Cecil B., Marvin Jr.
James Garfield was the last president to be born In a log cabin. Before becoming president he was successful
as a professor, college president, Civil War general and U.S. Congressman.
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Book on Indian basketball
nearing publication date...
As many of you know, Tim Brayboy and Bruce Barton have
been working on a book about Indian basketball in Robeson & adjoining
counties for some time. And the end is in sight.
They expect to present the book at the second annual meeting of
the Indian Basketball Alumni Association, Inc. at the Indian Education
Resource Center (located in the old "Indian" Pembroke High School
building), next door to the UNC-Pembroke chancellor's residence. The
meeting will be held tentatively on December 13, 2001, beginning at 7
p.m. Hope to see you there. More information will be forthcoming in
the next few days and weeks. The name of the book is:
PLAYING BEFORE AN OVERFLOW CROWD.
The storv of Indian basketball in Robeson
& adioinine counties between 1939-1967.
The book, now about 90% complete, is a history of
"Indian" basketball in Robeson as we remember it.
Information is scant, but it was a time of rank segregation
although positive currents emanated from the
unique social incubator and experiment. The book explores
what happened, where it happened, when, how,
who, and, most importantly, WHY?
Also, what valuable lessons can be learnedfrom this
special moment in time?
TO RESERVE A COPY, fill in the blanks and send it to
Indian Basketball Book, c/o Bruce Barton, Post Office
Box 362, Pembroke, N.C. 28372. Or call 910-521-2054
for more information. We also welcome old "Indian"
basketball photographs and memories.
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