Odell Lowery Story

SHANNON — The American Indian community is still mourning the untimely death of LRDA board member, church, civic and community leader, and volunteer Odell Lowry. Lowry’s wife and family received some comfort knowing he died doing something he loved. For the past 12 years, the Shannon resident had grown attached to the senior citizens at his church, Freedom Assembly of God in Red Springs. He often took them on trips out of town.

On Dec. 5, Lowry took 60 seniors out to lunch in Pembroke, to the flea markets in Cherry Grove and then to the Dixie Stampede show in Myrtle Beach, S.C. After the show Lowry helped many of them out of the amphitheater. He collapsed in the elevator, as they were getting ready to leave. His family said he had a heart attack. He was 60.

Lowry served on the LRDA board for 12 years, representing the Shannon and Red Springs area. Every year during Lumbee Homecoming, Lowry organized the Gospel Sing. This past summer he raised funds to bring well-known gospel singer, Quinton Mills, to the Gospel Sing.

“We’ve lost a great board member,” James Hardin, LRDA Executive Director said. “He was not only a part of setting policy and guiding the organization, but he volunteered his time with Lumbee Homecoming and other projects. He took the gospel sing and ran with it. That helped us out a lot. He will be missed on the board and as a volunteer in the community. He was highly respected and well thought of.”

Lowry was born Jan. 6, 1948, the son of Garfield Jacobs and Zelma Lowry. He was raised in the Fairmont area. He graduated from Prospect School and joined the Army in 1969. He fought in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 and earned the rank of Sergeant. He returned home and joined the National Guard while working in the construction business. Around this time, Lowry began volunteering his time in the community. He served as president of the Jaycees in Shannon, joined the Shannon Volunteer Fire Department and the VFW in Pembroke.

He was working with Daniel’s Construction in South Carolina when he met his wife, Darcos Brayboy. When Odell and Darcos married they did not go on a honeymoon. They both had family members who came in from out of town and they wanted to spend time with them. Over the years they talked about taking a trip alone but it never seemed to fall in place until 2008.

“We used to take trips with other couples,” Darcos said. “I wanted this to be our time.”
On their 32nd anniversary — Sept. 24 — the couple flew to New York. They rented a car and toured Ground Zero before driving to Canada. Their destination was Niagara Falls.

“We stayed in the Embassy Suites right on Niagara Falls,” she said. “There was one great big window in the room. Every night they would shoot off fireworks. We acted like kids that whole week. We done the tour, saw the sites, the exhibits and done everything we wanted to do. That was God’s way of giving me that time with him before it was his time to go.”

“I am so privileged and honored that God chose me to have him as a husband, “Darcos went on to say.  “He was a fine descent person who had a wonderful character. He loved the Lord and loved serving the Lord.”

Community Activist
Lowry continued his community involvement after settling in Shannon. At one time, he served on seven boards at the same time, including the Robeson County Daycare Board.  He served on the advisory board at Freedom Assembly of God and the Native American Bible College board.

He would help senior citizens who were on fixed incomes or people who had sickness in their family. He helped organized the Christmas baskets every year for the tribal elders. Last year they delivered more than 500 baskets. He helped several people get new houses or their houses worked on through LRDA.

He was a man that loved doing for people. All those who knew him will miss him. This Memorial Page is in his honor.