Leonard Thomas Lowe

Leonard Thomas Lowe, age 72, of Gulfport died on Wednesday, June 21, 2006, after a ten month bout with cancer. Mr. Lowe, born in Laurel, MS, was a longtime resident of the Coast, and had also lived in Hattiesburg, MS for several years. He served in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and retired from the Army National Guard after more than 33 years combined military service. He retired in June 2001 from Mississippi Power Company Marketing Department. After retirement, he enjoyed his dream of traveling extensively in his motorhome over most of the United States and parts of Canada. Mr. Lowe was a member of Faithview Baptist Church in Saucier, MS where he served as Adult Bible School Leader several times and in past years was a member of the choir and on the building committee for the new church sanctuary. He was Past Exalted Ruler of Gulfport B.P.O.E. 978 and was King Elk of Mardi Gras in Hattiesburg. Mr. Lowe was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine McBride; his father, Leemon Bernice Lowe; a brother, L.B. Lowe;and a granddaughter, Mitzi Cole Sprayberry. He is survived by his wife, Rachel, of Gulfport; a son, Carl Lowe and his wife, Peggy of Byhalia, MS; a daughter, Sherry Shaidnagle and her husband, Paul of Sandersville, MS a stepson, Pete Moran and his wife, Linda of Pass Christian; two step-daughters, Cheryl Dutruch and her husband, Andre' of Gulfport, MS and Rene' Firesheets and her husband, Bill of Baton Rouge, LA; two sisters, Joyce Driscoll of Saucier, MS, and Peggy Morris and her husband, Larry of Traverse City, MI. His grandchildren are Jason Lowe, Brian Lowe, Melissa Lowe Watkins, Aaron Barksdale, Tyler Lowe, Shannon Lowe, Meghan Lowe, Trey Moran, DeSha' Moran Moody, Samantha Firesheets Fisicaro, Joshua Cole, Cord Cole, Gentry Cole,Cassie McGrory, Jennifer Yanik, and Elizabeth Firesheets. His great-grandchildren are Nicholas Lowe, Brandon Lowe, Skylar Barksdale, Will Fisicaro, Aubrey Moody, Devon Watkins, Taylor Watkins and Sydney Watkins. He is also survived by Sharon Rice, who is like a daughter to him, and her husband, Jim. Visitation was held Thursday June 22, 2006 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, in Gulfport. The funeral service is Friday, June 23, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Gulfport Memorial Hospice, especially Debbie and Flossie, for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Faithview Baptist Church Building Fund, 23075 Church Avenue, Saucier, MS 39574. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com