Jewell Parkerson Lowe

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, September 7, 2007 at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension for Jewell Parkerson Lowe who died at her home in Lafayette at 8:30 AM on Monday, September 3, 2007. The daughter of the late Evelyn Lewis Parkerson and James Drehr Parkerson; her infant sister Jadye predeceased her. She is survived by her husband of forty years Robert Donald Lowe, her only son (of her prior marriage to Joseph Arthur Roy II), Lafayette attorney James Parkerson Roy and his wife Ginger, step-sons Casey B. Lowe and Cody D. Lowe, a step-daughter Kathleen Lowe, and three grandsons John Parkerson Roy, James Parkerson Roy, Jr. and Christopher Malin Roy, and step-granddaughters Bonnie Lowe Martens, Casey Olivia Lowe, Valerie Lowe, Elizabeth Caswell. Born in Opelousas, Louisiana in the old Seth Lewis family home, she finished Gulf Park Junior College in Mississippi (with honors), and later attended Tulane University's Newcomb College and graduated from U.L.L. (then known as S.L.I.). She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Lambda Beta, Phi Alpha Theta and AOPi (serving as president of the Lafayette alumna club when organized.) A devoted wife and mother, she worked throughout her life to help provide the Lafayette community with a safety net for the under-privileged and those persons otherwise without access to mental health, medical and other critical services. In the late 1950's, recognizing that public hospitals were not adequately addressing mental illness and its treatment, she was one of the co-founders of The Southwest Louisiana Mental Health Out-patient Treatment Center (now known as the Dr. Joseph Henry Tyler Center). It was one of the very first outpatient mental health clinics in the United States (the first in Louisiana). She helped assure its perpetuation as a permanent service for Acadiana, and worked diligently to change public attitudes about those suffering from mental illness. In 1964, the American Psychiatric Association proclaimed the center 'the best day-treatment center in the United States.' The Louisiana Psychiatric Association honored her by making her their first honorary psychiatrist and member. The Mental Health Association in Lafayette honored her as 'a pioneer of mental health whose courage, wisdom, and concern for humanity has helped others to help themselves.' In 1965 she co-founded 232-HELP, now known as 232-HELP/211 and has been its only Executive Director. Through 232-HELP/211, Jewell Lowe directed or coordinated such well known public assistance programs as The Milk Fund, Project Rx, the Beavers Club Wheel Chair program, The Epilepsy Task Force, Vial of Life, Campaign of Concern, Donated Dental Services, Eye Care for the Elderly and Handicapped, Help Line, Tel-Med, Tel-Law and 2-1-1. Perhaps the most important of her accomplishments in recent years was the establishment of 2-1-1 as a toll free call line system for ten area parishes; 232-HELP was first in the state and fourth in America to activate 2-1-1, an achievement that was the direct result of her tenacious leadership and long hours of service. Through 232-HELP/211 she leaves a legacy of caring, public service and philanthropy. A recipient of the Civic Cup Award, she was proud of her volunteer service in support of a number of Acadiana area charitable public service organizations, including University Medical Center, Hospice of Acadiana (Recognized as a Founding Member), American Lung Association of Louisiana, Acadiana Area Organ Donation Awareness Committee, Louisiana Organ Procurement Association, Msgr. Sigur Center, Louisiana Association for Retarded Citizens, The Outreach Center, United Way, ULL Foundation and many others. She also coordinated Continuing Medical Education seminars in Lafayette for many years. In 1973 The Louisiana Public Health Association presented her with the Dr. Felix Formento Memorial award for 'meritorious activity in fostering public health in Louisiana.' The Louisiana Hospital Association in 1975 presented her with the Outstanding Layman Award in recognition of 'unusually meritorious service to the health care industry.' She and her loving husband Bob enjoyed their many travels across the world, and endless hours of watching the wildlife and feeding the ducks at Moccasin Bend, Fairview Farms, and finally, Melange. A fierce advocate of any cause she championed, she was a member of the National Society Galvez Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and proudly claimed five generations of lawyers as direct ancestors, including Seth Lewis, who in 1800 was appointed by President Adams to serve as Chief Justice of the Mississippi Territory. Her family, friends, co-workers and the community will all dearly miss her. Visiting hours will be observed on the morning of the funeral service from 9 AM until the church service commences at 11AM only in Coughlin Hall at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 1030 Johnston Street in Lafayette. Following the service and Holy Communion in The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, private family-only graveside services will be held at the Protestant Cemetery in Lafayette. Pallbearers will be Dr. John Hendry, Larry Sides, Dr. Paul 'Buddy' Azar, Ronald Francis Peck, Jr., William C. Capell and Dr. Russell Saloom. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Louis Mes, Dick D'Aquin, B.I. Moody, Dr. Harold Chastant, Jason Parkerson Peck, John Kelly, J. J. Burdin and Dr. David Rees. The family wishes to sincerely thank the Doctors and Staff of Lafayette General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center and Hospice of Acadiana for their care and kindness during Jewell's long battle with cancer. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Jewell Lowe to 232-HELP/211 (P.O. Box 52763, Lafayette, LA. 70505).