RICHFIELD, Va. – Gertrude Reynolds Lowery, 88, of Richfield, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2007, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Lowery maintained her ties to her beloved New Castle and Craig County even though her health required her residence at the Oaks at Richfield where she cultivated many very special friendships in addition to her extended family and many friends in Craig County.

She was born in Craig County on Jan. 10, 1919, a daughter of the late Charles Rufus and Pearl Myers Reynolds. She treasured the discovery on her recent birthday that she had lived to a greater age than any of her Reynolds family members.

In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Jesse J. Lowery, in 1970, as well as her two sisters, Elizabeth Carper of New Castle and Vera Ruble of Roanoke.

Mrs. Lowery was a member of New Castle United Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Radford University, serving as a teacher in Craig County and Rowan County, N.C., schools. She proudly served on the New Castle town council for several years, including her years as mayor of New Castle.

She is survived by her six children of whom she was very proud and supportive: daughters Linda (Joe) London, Mooresville, N.C., Cheryl (James) Lockhart, Covington, Dr. Karen (George) Barnhart, Salem, and Sharon (Ron) Kaffen, Wadsworth, Ohio, and sons Samuel Lowery (Jackie), Salem, and James Lowery, Charlotte, N.C. She cherished her seven grandchildren, Kym London (Cindy), Teresa London (James), Jacqueline Oppelt, Whitney Lockhart, Aaron Kaffen, Adam and Jessica Kaffen; great-granddaughter Rachel Oppelt; step-grandchildren David (Tamra) Barnhardt, Sonya Barnhart; and step-great-granddaughters Natalie and Rachel Barnhart.

Service: A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at New Castle United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lowell Stovall and Dr. Ernie Johnson officiating. Interment will take place at Huffman Memorial Park, New Castle.

Visitation: The family will welcome and appreciate visitors from 2-4 p.m. today and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. At other times, they will be at the residence of James Lowery, Mitchell Drive.

Memorials: The family suggests that memorial tributes be made to Salem Methodist Church, Building Fund, c/o Jean Bradley, New Castle,VA.

They express their love and appreciation to her able care-givers and all her many friends.

Arrangements are by Paitsel Funeral Home in New Castle.