Obituary of Robert Lee Lowery

ROBERT LEE LOWERY was born in Schular, Arkansas on April 8, 1931 to Dayton and Ophelia McDuffie Lowery. Robert was raised by his new mother, Mattie Eutsey Lowery following the death of his mother, Ophelia. Robert Lowery and Thelma Sue David produced two daughters Ophelia Loggins, (Robert Lee Loggins) of El Dorado Arkansas and Oneida Hardy. In 1951, Robert left Arkansas to live in Oakland, CA, where he worked construction for a while and was offered a job to work at Big Creek Lumber Company, he then moved to Santa Cruz. In 1962, he married Rodessia Lowery, whom preceded him in death in 1992. They leave behind 5 children, Frank Edwards (Shirley Edwards), Walter Edwards Jr., Beverly, Sheila and Lee. He was a long-time member of Progressive Baptist Church. Robert was a well-known Delta Blue Guitarist, known locally and around the world. Some of his accomplishments (just to name a few), are as follows: San Francisco Blue Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival B.B. King Concert, President Bill Clinton Inaugural Celebration and many, many awards. Robert assisted raising grandsons, Isaiah Lowery, Elijah Edwards and nephews Aundre Thompson, Decota Copeland.Robert offered words of wisdom and encouragement, and a joke for all the youth he encountered. Robert leaves behind to mourn his passing, a brother, Hershey of Eldorado, Arkansas; sisters, Minnie, Ollie, Betty, Jean, Faye, Mary and Shirley; 12 Grandchildren, 14 Great Grandchildren, and 14 Great-Great Grandchildren; along with numerous nephews, nieces and cousins, as well as other loved ones: Doris Edwards, Susan Jones, Thelma Malone and Dorothy Edwards, brother-in-laws William Keller and J.K. Jones, and harmonica player Virgil Thrasher (Kris). He is preceded in death by mothers, Orphelia and Mattie; father, Dayton; daughter Oneida Hardy of Arkansas; granddaughters Michelle Loggins of Arkansas, Rolonda Edwards Helie and Grandson Frank Raggae Edwards of California; Great Grandson Hitari Smith of California; brothers Jamison and Timothy Lowery and sisters, Julia Mae Jones and Eunice Jones of Arkansas. Robert went home to be with the Lord on October 25, 2016. Services will be held at Progressive Baptist Church, 517 Center Street., Santa Cruz, CA 95060, on Saturday, November 19th, 2016 at 1'o clock in the afternoon, preceded by a public viewing at 12'o clock noon.