Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at Oakley Cemetery in Gilbert, La., for Ernestine Perry Lowe, 85, of Gilbert, under the direction of Dennard First National in Winnsboro, La. The Rev. Bobby Ensminger will officiate.
Visitors will be received from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The family respectfully requests that COVID restrictions be observed.
Ernestine was born May 12, 1935 in Gilbert, La., the youngest child of Albert and Jenny Perry. She died on Monday, April 26, 2021 at Mary Anna Nursing Home in Wisner.
Ernestine spent much of her early life on Rabbit Lane in Gilbert and made her final home there where she found great joy raising flowers on the land on which she and her brothers and sisters once helped their parents raise cotton. In 1953 she married Claude R. Lowe, the father of their four children, and celebrated 50 years of marriage with him before his death.
During most of her married life, Ernestine was a homemaker, but later went to work for Walmart where she spent nearly 30 years as a devoted employee, eventually retiring from the Winnsboro store. She loved music and learned to play the guitar in her 60s after receiving one as a gift from her children.
She was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church in Gilbert. She loved cooking Sunday dinner for her children and grandchildren.
Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents and husband, and by her brothers, Shelton Perry, Julius Perry and Marvin Perry, and sisters, Bessie P. Geoghegan, Lillie P. Lofton and Grace P. Bullen.
She is survived by a son, Stephen R. Lowe, wife Robin, of Lafayette; and by daughters, Marcelette (Marcy) Lowe Thompson, husband Gene; Eugenia Ann Lowe Hitt, husband Jason; and Rita B. Lowe Austin, husband Gary, all of Winnsboro; grandchildren, Elle Frances McCoy, Lancaster, Penn.; Kaitlyn Forestier, husband Hunter, Church Point; Madison Lowe, Lafayette; Scott Thompson, wife Christin, Cranberry Township, Penn.; Daniel Thompson, wife Jakki, Winnsboro; Chris Austin, wife Brandi, Rayville; Emily A. Huff, husband Kevin, Winnsboro; Jeremy Austin, Winnsboro; Daniel Austin, Carey Austin, Sawyer Hitt, Sassi H. Arnold, husband Trey, all of Winnsboro; 12 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be Wayne Lowe, Daniel Austin, Carey Austin, Gene Thompson, Jason Hitt and Cliff Rawls Sr.
Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com .

Visitation
Dennard First National Funeral Home
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
6637 Main St.
Winnsboro, Louisiana 71295
Graveside Service
Oakley Cemetery
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gilbert, LA