Arlene Bell Bunnell Lowe's Obituary
ARLENE BELL BUNNELL LOWEOctober 22, 1920 – November 26, 2019A celebration of Arlene’s life will be at St. Philip’s United Methodist Church at 3717 Broadway Blvd, Garland, TX 75043 Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 1:00 pm for a light welcome reception followed by the service. Dress is simple, and optional Texas casual to commemorate her love for Texas – and its love for her.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to SPCA; Meals on Wheels.Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and adoring servant of God whose Light shone brightly on and through her, all 99 years of her amazing life, passed away Tuesday, November 26th, at Presbyterian Hospital – Seasons Hospice, peacefully and with dignity, just as she had wanted – three days after a massive stroke while playing poker with good friends at Brookdale-Club Hill, as she did every Saturday, having filled the chair her late husband Dick vacated four years ago…Born in Muskegon, MI to parents Frank Earl Bunnell and Lottie Bell Stevens. Preceded in death by loving husband Leon Richard “Dick” Lowe age 96, married nearly 75 years; sisters Beaulah Frances, Burnadette Leona, Doretha Lucinda, “Zina” Pearl, and Bonnie Marie; great grandson Sean Richard Lowe; and many other relatives, friends and pets including Kio, Tiger and Sambo, truly compassionate toward all animals.Survived by loving children, Richard Colin “Rick” Lowe and wife Sherri of Spring, TX, Barbie Lowe Winegar and husband Garth of N.C. and FL, Bradley Scott Lowe of Rockwall, TX; 6 grandchildren, Leon Scott Lowe and wife Julie, Christopher David Lowe and wife Kelly, Shannon Parrish and husband Blayne, Shelley Black and husband Mike, Lindsay Lowe, Lacy Lowe; 11 great-grandchildren, Luke, Kaydee, Bailey Paige, Jacob, Ami, Alex, Cassidy, Mattylin, Emmylin, Colby, and Cade.Arlene was considered by countless people who knew and loved her throughout her lifetime as elegant, kind, petite, gentle yet strong, smart, fun, thankful, stylish, and always a lady – beautiful inside and out. She graduated from Muskegon HS, class of 1938. At 19, she married her true love Dick whom she met at the skating rink in her hometown Muskegon. Soon after giving birth to their first son ‘Ricky’ in 1941, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis, having spent an entire year in an iron lung. The doctor then prescribed a move to a southern climate, and off to Garland, TX they drove in their Model A Ford. One year later she was completely cured! Between the time their next two wonderful children Barbie and Brad were born in 1948 and 1955 respectively, she helped her husband start Dick Lowe & Associates, a second generation office files and furnishings business, now a thriving, four generation business of Lowes – Lowe Group, Tomball TX, with the forecast of a fifth generation. As their business grew, Arlene accompanied Dick on board their Bonanza airplane to see customers and factory owners. They lived in six different homes in the Garland/Dallas area concluding by moving into their lovely independent living apartment at Brookdale when in their late 80’s.In her early years, she enjoyed horseback riding, having taught her children to ride, among many other important life lessons. She also did latch hook, was an avid reader, and appreciated music, having started each day by playing her favorite CD’s. She loved golf, bridge, dining and social events at DAC Country Club, where they were dearly loved members for over 50 years; Eastern Hills prior to that. She continued to study and play bridge and poker with her friends at Brookdale through her 99th birthday – winning a lot at both!While Texas was the promised land for Arlene and family, she survived two other significant personal experiences – the big flood in Garland in the 1950’s when she clung hard to a telephone pole for hours in the dark, holding onto son Ricky until rescued from the raging waters around them; also, she had breast cancer at age 76 – and was a survivor!Well-traveled, her destinations included France, Italy, China, and greatly anticipated annual NEOCON business conventions in Chicago, and numerous golf resorts around the country – a favorite being Coeur d’Lane. In addition, she and Dick shared a love of Mexico where they enjoyed their vacation home in Guadalajara at Lake Chapala. Arlene learned to speak Spanish in order to better communicate with the people they grew so fond of. She enjoyed margaritas, as well as wine and champagne. And, as one of the sweetest people in the world, she loved her sweets – especially chocolate candy and homemade or Buccees fudge.Now in the arms of Jesus and reunited with Dick and other loved ones in all the company of Heaven, this cradle Episcopalian, devout in attending church all her life, and most recently with Brookdale friends to nearby St. Philip’s United Methodist Church, she will be deeply missed. And so, as part of our tearful, yet also joyful goodbye in that she did not suffer and is safely ‘Home’, a toast to her to say how much she is loved, and “Asu salud y amor presente, y el tiempo para disrutarlo.” Here’s to love and health and the time to enjoy it. Which she did to the fullest.The family offers heartfelt thanks to the many friends at Brookdale; her tender-hearted, devoted caregiver and friend Sandra; Presbyterian Hospital attending staff; St. Philip’s United Methodist Church/Pastor Rene; Father Ralph; Restland Funeral Home; and all who inspired her, and were inspired by her, all these years. One of the greatest generation…Special Notes:This is from the page of her treasured, oldest daily devotional that was laying open in clear view, on the table next to her favorite chair:…”I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10Do you think that God would have bothered to send His Son to the world if man had been able to face life and eternity alone? Christ’s coming to the world proved that God was not happy with man’s unhappiness. He sent Him not only that we might have eternal life but that we might have life here and now, and that we might have it more abundantly – Life with a capital L! Prayer for the Day: Almighty God, you have given me real Life through Jesus Christ. My soul praises you… AmenThe following is a verse that Arlene saw each day on her neighbor’s shelf next to the entry door, as she walked through her building and then down a long walkway outdoors, to and from the dining room every day:“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and faith.: Jeremiah 29:11 What beautiful plans she lived out in hope and faith…Funeral arrangements for Arlene Bell Lowe have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
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