Dr. Gertie Lowe of Gadsden was named a Pillar of Education by the Gadsden City school system in 2014-2015, and manycredit her with laying a foundation for the people of her community through her mentoring, her work in her church and in civil rights.
Lowe died Friday, and her passing marks a tremendous loss to the community, Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick said.
Lowe was encouraged by her mother who had a fifth-grade education – to value and strive for education. She did, becoming a nurse, and was honored as a top nursing home administrator.
Lowe valued learning, not only for herself but for others. Some two decades ago, she mentored a child during the school year and continued through the summer months. She recognized the value of study in the summer and extended it to other children.