Lora Lowry

Monterey, VA Lora F. Lowry, 65, of Monterey, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Bath Community Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 9, 1948 in Sonora, CA, to the late James H., Sr. and Bessie (Farman) Nickley. Lora was of a family (Nickley/Nichley and Manley) with deep pioneering roots in California, having settled there following the American Civil War; amongst her ancestors were generations of miners and ranchers in Tuolumne and Amador counties. The family lived in Jacksonville, CA, where Lora's father, always known as "Slim" Nickley, was a foreman at the Eagle Shawmut Gold Mine. A devoted wife and homemaker, Lora had also been employed at The Homestead as well as Virginia Department of Transportation. She will be remembered as a loving mother and mamaw, who enjoyed living in the mountains and caring for flowers, especially her roses. On January 28, 1965, she married Edward William Lowry, Sr. who preceded her in death on November 30, 2013. She was also predeceased by her brother, James H. Nickley, Jr. and her sisters, Patricia Ramsey and Betty Holmes. Lora is survived by her children, Edward Lowry, Jr., of Monterey, Shirley Cox and husband, Leland of Hamlin, PA, Kevin Lowry and wife, Penny of Fulks Run and Tammy Simmons and husband, Mark of Franklin, WV; grandchildren, Gary Hoke, Jr. and wife, Kimberly of Lake Ariel, PA and Samantha Metz of Dayton; step-grandchildren Nicholas Simmons of Huron, SD, Falica and Amanda Pettit of Fulks Run and Tanya and John Hollister of McDonald, PA; great-granddaughters, Kaleigh Rose and Makenzie Lora Hoke of Lake Ariel, PA; step-great-grandchildren, Tyler, Cameron and Cheyenne Hollister of McDonald, PA. Additionally, Lora is survived by an aunt, Annie Freeman of Jamestown, CA and special friends, Dave and Ellie Dykes of Richmond and John Metz of Dayton. The family will hold a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lora Lowry Memorial Fund, c/o Blue Grass Valley Bank, P.O. Box 516, Monterey, VA 24465.

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