Published each Thursdav in Pembroke. N.C H B
Carolina k*AN VOICE
"Ihukiins, Communicative Fridges In A Tn-Racial Setting ~
VOLUME 32 SUMBER 48 THURSDAY. DECEMBER 9, 2004 \\ 25c
? * : ? *-1 :
American Indian Mothers Presents Order of the Medicine Wheel Awards
by Dr. Ruth DinI Wootls
As a part of the Annual Millennium \Sarjior Awards Program.
American Indian Mothers, lnc established the Order of the Medicine
Wheel Awards to honor and recognize the outstanding lives,
accomplishments, and service of five Lumbee Indian health professionals
Three awards were presented posthumously and two
awards were presented to living health professionals
Dr Ruth Dial Woods- introduced the use of life stories as biography
and autobiography that express culture The life stones of the
honorees were expressions ofT.umbee Indian culture Di Woods
identified eight values that are characteristic of L.umbee culture motivation,
determination, perseverance, ability to dream and to
achieve a dream, compassion and service, responsibility, an ethic
of work, and a sense ofcommunity According to Dr Woods. "When
we tell our life stories, we reconstruct and rediscover our culture
and we can more appropriately interpret and define our reality In
the one hundred and thirty-four years of life stories represented in
-our honorees. there are stories of bounds and chains, hardships,
struggles, and racism, but they are also stories of family, support,
religious beliefs, dreams and realities, academic ability, competence,
dedication, commitment, and service In a different time and a different
place, these honorees were our "pathmakers and pacesetters "
They have given us a past, a present, and a future and we stand
proudly on their shoulders - Lumbee Indians in Medicine "
The Medicine Wheel Awards were designed by James Locklear
especially for American Indian Mothers The Order of the Medicine
Wheel was an idea of Beverly Collins-Hall. Executive Director of
the organization "The awards are symbols of Lumbee Pride in the
accomplishments and contributions and our great appreciation for
the lives of our honoress and what their lives have meant to generations
past, present and future." said Ms Collins-Hall
> John Albert liurchartl Lowry
June 2b, tH90-February 4, I9SH
John Albert Bui chard Lowry was born the son of Henry H Lowry
and Julia Lowry in the Elrod Community of Robeson County. North
Carolina. He was educated in public schools and at the University
of Maryland School of Medicine from which he graduated in 1915
with a Doctor of Medicine Degree After serving one year as an
intern in the University of Maryland Hospital. Dr Lowry moved to
Harrisburg. Pennsylvania where he joined the staff of the Tuberculosis
Division of the Pennsylvania State Department of Health
The entry of the United States into World War I on April 6, 1917
created a quick demand for physicians and Dr Lowry was commissioned
a Hirst Lieutenant in the United States Arniy on June 27
Five weeks later on August 2. 19| 7. he was called up for active duty and
after a bnefperiod of training in the United States Army, he was shipped
to England Gassed and wounded in the Somme Offensive in France on
April 22. I') 18. he was awarded the Purple Heart When he became suflicientlv
well to be released from the hospital. Dr Lowry was assigned to
duty on hpspital trains in Europe, was promoted to rank of Captain in
February 1919. and honorably discharued from active dutv on Mav I.
1919
Once back on American soil, and desiyng to become a "Family Doctor"
in Virginia, he established his practice in Crewe. Virginia, a'railroad
town that had been incorporated in 1888. two years before he was bom
It was this place that he would spend the remainder of a dedicated and
useful life
After opening his office in C'revve. Virginia on July 1. 1919. he left his
practice-at summer 's end to return to Harrisburg. Pennsylvania to claim
in marriage the hand of Mabel Coulson Johnson whom he married on
September 3. 1919 A son died infancy and a daughter. Jane died in 1937
at the age of 14 ?
Dr Lowry was associated with causes and interests concerned with
the welfare of bis community, the development of his profession, and the
promotion of the common good He was a charter member and past
commander of the Leon A Harper Post of the American Legion, a charter
member and past president of the Crewe Kiwanis Club, served as
president of the Crewe Young Men's Christian Association of 25 years,
was vice-president of the Bank ofCrewe. and for 9 years a member of the
Nottoway County School Board He was also a faithful member of the
Order of Masons and Worshipful Master ofCrewe Lodge Number 123
and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
A continuing interest in his profession was manifested in his active
relationships with the American Medical Association, the Virginia State
Medical Society, the Fourth District of Virginia Medical Society, and the
American Academy of General practice and its Virginia Chapter He kept
abreast of new developments in the field of medicine, pursued graduate
studies at the New York Post-Graduate School, attended seminars in
Pediatrics at Salada. North Carolina, and was a member of the Duke
University Medical Cruise to the Scandinavian Countries in 1957
Dr Lowry s special interest in young people led to the establishment
of the Crewe Community Center and the improvement of the Athletic
Field in C'revve While Dr Lowry had a large and extensive medical practice.
he found time to faithfully serve as a member and responsible leader
in the Crewe Methodist Church where he was for 37 years a Steward aiid
for 17 year chairman of the Official Board He also taught the Men's Bible
Class, was especially interested in missions, and served on the local
church Commission on Missions, the Farmville District Board of Missions.
the Virginia Methodist Conference Board of Missions, and the
General Board of Missions of the Methodist Church
Dr Lowry'a Award was accepted by his niece. Julia l owry Russell,
daughter of the late Delton Lowry and Slnrlev Smith Lowry
I loin l.i'HT}- Armstrong
June OAS')7- June 16. I UN6
Viola Lowry Armstrong was born the daughter of I lenry H Lowry
and Julia Lowr> in the Elrod community of Robeson County. North
Carolina She was educated in public schools and completed training
as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee According to oral history, she is
the first Indian from our community to successful train and become
a registered nurse
She attended and graduated from Tennessee Wesley an College in
Athens. Tennessee from 1915 until 1918 After graduation from Ten- *
nessee Weslevan. she went to nursing school i at knoxville General
Hospital and graduated as'a Registered Nurse in 1922 In 1923, she
married W Frank Armstrong and remained married for 54 years until
his death in 1977
In 1926, she gave birth to a son. Dr William F Armstrong. Jr who
was a practicing dentist for 50 years until his death in 1998 His daughter,
Nancy Jane Arjnstrong is a registered nurse in knoxville and is a
#Honte Health Care Nurse
Viola Lowry Armstrong continued her nursing career as a private
duty nurse until she was 75 years old She died in 1986
Jane Armstrong Farrell, daughter of Viola and William Armstrong,
Sr resides in Knoxville, Tennessee and spend her w inters in Riverview,
Florida Her daughter, Jenny Farrell Glenn has a master's degree in
Nutrition and is an administrator of a Health Care Facility
As long as she lived Viola and her family actively participated in
the annual Lowtv Family Reunions with her brothers and sisters
Dr Telford A LowTy
Walter A Lowrv, Pharmacist
Viola l.owTy Armstrong. Nurse
Dr. John Albert Burchard Lowry
Stella Iota Lowry, Teacher and Homemaker
Bernard Wilborne Lowry. Ordained Minister
Elmer T Lowry, Teacher and School Administrator
Delton H Lowry. Teacher
The Lowries have maintained their family ties through annual family
reunions throughout the Southeastern for several years and often
visit First United Methodist Church, their home church in Pembroke,
in honor of the entire Lowry familyJane
Farrell of Knoxville, Tennessee and Riverview, Florida accepted
the award in honor of her mother
The biographical information on Dr Lowry was provided by his
nephew, Ronald H Lowry of Richmond, Virginia
Note This is the first two of five life stories that will be published
on honor of the recipients of the Order of the Medicine Wheel Awards
as part of the Millennium Warrior Honoring Ceremony
Besvrly Collins-Hall, Dr. Ruth Dial Woods and Julia Lowry Russell
are shown as Russell accepts the Medicine Wheel Award
Shown left to right by Beverly Collins-Hall, Dr. Ruth Dial Woods
and Jane Farrell who accepts the Medicine Wheel Award
i ! :
The If.H. I.mvry children at homecoming in 19SO Left to rightTelfnrd
A, Walter A, Stella, Wllhorn, Elmer, and Helton hidden
from view in hack.
1 Celebrates 70th birthday
IMs. Shirley Oxendine celebrated her 70th birthday on Monday,
Dec. 6, 2004 with Family <fi Friends. She is the daughter of
I Duckery & Docia Oxendine.
I New phone numbers for
i Carolina Indian Voice
Please make a note of the new phones numbers
for the Carolina Indian Voice
t? 910-521-0796
910-521-0992
910-521-9154
And the new fax number:
910-521-7670
1 Carolina Indian Voice
| 910-521-0992
Celebrates 92nd bifthday
On December 01, 2004, Mm. Certrud/Chavis of the St. Annah
community celebrated her 92nd birthday with family and friends.
Pictured with Mrs. Chavis (front row) are her son. Larry, her granddaughter
lirittney, (back rt>w) John I louse, her great-great granddaughter,
Cassidy, her great-granddaugher Sakia, her daughter,
Francine,'and her son Hars<artL Mm. Chains was married to the
late Harvard L. Chavis. \
Thompson Baptist to
present Christmas Play
Thompson Baptist Church wi}t be presenting their Christmas Play,
"The Gate of The Inn", on December 19. 2004 at 7 00 PM The public is
invited to attend For more information or directions, please call Bro
Rudolph Dial at 738-4175
Concerned Citizens group
cancels meetings
Friday 7 30 meetings for the Concerned Citizens for the Children of
the Robeson County School System will be canceled until further notice
If you need any other information, contact Glenn T Hunt at 910-7382698
Vioht Estelle l.owry Armstrong is shown in her graduation picture
from Knoxville (ieneral Hospital, Nursing School 1922.
John Albert Burchardl.tnvry, M.I).