When the Rev. David Thomas Lowman, a retired Presbyterian minister, and his wife Jean became residents of Chester Village Senior Apartments, they felt a void in the community and saw an opportunity to serve. They went to work and helped organize devotional Sunday services in the community’s dining hall, worked with resident groups to create social recreational activities, administered through prayer and communion, and gave comfort when needed to the bereaved and sick.
Their service did not go unnoticed and with their announcement that it was time for them to step back on their volunteer duties, an appreciation banquet was organized for saying “thank you.”
Along with family members, residents – most who attended The Rev. Lowman’s Sunday devotional services – and staff honored the Lowmans for their work last Thursday.
“Anyone who has come to know them and their family would say, ‘What a beautiful and gracious family…an example for all families,’” said Nancy Champ, resident and organizer of the event. “We here at Chester Village are and have been gloriously blessed to have them serve us and do God’s will as our spiritual leader. Bless you, Reverend and Sis Jean!”
Jean Lowman has been quoted as saying she would never go on a blind date or marry a preacher. She did both nearly 63 years ago when she married Tom. The couple had a full life serving several churches and community programs. Even though Lowman officially retired in 1993 from his last assignment at Providence Presbyterian Church in Gum Spring, he continued to serve as interim pastor at Covenant Church in Petersburg for three years, worked with the Crater Agency on Aging as a senior advocate and later took on the role of ombudsman for a nursing home. Jean was always by his side, and after retiring from her secretarial duties at Matoaca High School, she was elected elder in the Covenant Church. They both served many years on the board for the church’s interfaith daycare.
“They have always been a couple,” said their eldest son, David Lowman, at the banquet. “When you see one, you see the other. They have done a lot in the community over the years. Anytime somebody needed something, my dad found a way to help. He is a great person, a person that always cared about others. He is really my hero.
They both have always been community oriented and are terrific people. I am really lucky to have parents like them.”
The Lowmans have three children, David (Maureen) Lowman, Sarah (Glen) Martin, and Phillip (Debbie) Lowman, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
They will continue their residency at Chester Village Senior Apartments.
