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Betty Jo Gabriel Lowrance, born August 7, 1928, died Saturday morning April 15 at Trinity Oaks Lutheran Home in Salisbury, North Carolina. Betty Jo was brought up in the Mooresville Community. She was a graduate of UNC Greensboro and served for many years as a Home Economics teacher at Mooresville Senior High School until her retirement. She was one of the first women Elders to serve Prospect Presbyterian Church, from which she retired as an Elder Emeritus. In her later years, she was one of the founding members of the Quilting Guild, and the Book Club. Betty Jo, fondly known as BJ, and her late husband, Bill, distributed Meals on Wheels in the Mooresville area. Both were named "Ambassadors" of the Mooresville Chamber Association. A hard worker in church and her community, BJ was a life long learner; she had a lot of wisdom to share, however she always made time to listen to others, especially her grandchildren. BJ never thought she knew it all, and was open to learning from the very people she taught; she asked many questions and explored many answers. BJ taught her grandchildren to plant lemon balm and peppermint in their gardens, how to make fairy houses from bark and moss, as well as how to splash real good in the branch. She showed them how to plant flowers all around their yards and delighted in taking them for a cone of Deluxe ice-cream. For years BJ was an avid walker and was able to talk to anyone she met and often did just that. She especially enjoyed conversing with her former students, some of whose children she taught as well. BJ was a devoted supporter of the Mooresville Public Library and could often be seen checking out a new stack of books. Betty Jo was a domestic artist who could turn a bouquet of wildflowers or a dish of macaroni and cheese into a masterpiece. Meals were cooked in love and were treated as an experience meant to entice and delight all of the senses. When dinner was over and family returned home, BJ could be found on a Saturday night wrapped in the arms of her beloved Bill, dancing in the den to the nostalgic tunes of Lawrence Welk's show. Betty Jo was preceded in death by two of her sons, Jeff and Tim, and her husband Bill, who died one year ago. She is survived by cousin Gaile Patrick, who often delighted in BJ’s wisdom and advice, Gaile's husband, Phil, son Will and daughter-in-law Becca, daughter-in-law Anne Lowrance, grandchildren Jessica and Orlando Rivera, Grady Kiser-Lowrance, Kelly Rote, Claire and Joel Tomkinson, Casey and Josh McMullen, Erin and Luke Harwood, Joseph Kiser-Lowrance, two great-granddaughters Eila and Noelle, nephew Bob Gabriel and family, and cousin Becky Weemhoff and family. Special thanks to Danny and Ozella, and Linda and Werner, who were faithful visitors to Trinity Oaks, and to all of BJ's kith and kin and Church Circle members who travelled to Salisbury to see her. Very deep appreciation is given to the Administration and Staff of Trinity Oaks, who honored Betty Jo with their patience and loving kindness as if she was their own "Mother". Visitation is Thursday April 20, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville. Her memorial service will be Friday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Prospect Presbyterian Church in Mooresville. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to support Trinity Oaks Lutheran Home or the Alzheimer's Association. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the Lowrance family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

Tributes

Betty Jo Gabriel Lowrance

August 7, 1928 - April 15, 2017