Yvonne Maria Lowery

Yvonne Maria Irby was born on 14 October 1941 in Asheville, N.C. She is the firstborn of Mary Elvira Wilson and James Edward Irby. Both met and married in Washington DC. There were five children in that marriage. Yvonne was the eldest and was referred to as Irby. Her beautiful godmother MaryAnna helped raise, love and adored Yvonne. She also provided equal love and admiration to the children of Yvonne. She came each summer and created wonderful memories. Yvonne really appreciated the relationship.

Yvonne grew up a Catholic and attended private school throughout college. She was only a few months from becoming a nun, until a special person came and changed the direction of her life. While studying at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, she met and married her beautiful teammate Joseph Echols Lowery Jr. of 1964. The couple decided to advance and relocate to Detroit, Michigan. Before moving out of Ohio, Yvonne and Joseph opened a restaurant in Dayton. They had a fish market in Detroit, too. Following the closure of the businesses, Yvonne started new businesses. With her warm and friendly personality, she chose to run for the Detroit District Council (yes, there was a district council at the time). She was trying to change things within her community.

Yvonne worked for Amurcon Management Group in the 1970s and early 1980s as a property manager. One of the properties she ran for some years was Research Park Apartments and Townhouses, which she and her family lived on for years. For over forty years, Yvonne and her children have created genuine friendships which continue to this day. Later, Yvonne and Joseph both earned contract positions with Detroit Edison (now known as DTE) in 1981 as analysts. This gave them a tremendous opportunity to contribute to the Hawaii hurricane disaster in 1982. They spent about four to six weeks in Hawaii to help evaluate electric damage in 1983. In 1984, Yvonne came to Rivers Investment Group as a property manager and remained there for several years.

Yvonne got sick in the early 1990’s. Her health was up and down for many years thereafter. She was quite a winner, to say the least. She remained a human being. Always optimistic, positive and cheerful. She’s become very fiery in recent years. If you know one of her kids, then you know, they’re part of her personality.

She was always proud of all her children and grandchildren. She was so proud and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. She liked to joke with them. Sometimes she laughed so loud that she almost fell and we had to run and grab her. She loved my candy! Her favorites were Tootsie Rolls, Mentos, Mints, and Milky Ways. She loved watching local sports and cheering for the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Tigers every season. She was a ray of light that will always continue to shine above us all!

She leaves in memory of her passing:

Her parents: Mary Stephen and James Irby, (both deceased) her brothers, James Irby (deceased) Charles Irby of Charlotte, North Carolina, her sisters Jane Tahir (Melvin) of Baltimore, Maryland, Regina Gates-Flowers (Michael) of Los Angeles, California.

Her children: Joseph Lowery III of Silver Spring, Maryland, Dawn Lowery-Campbell (Gregory) of Detroit, Michigan, Rashawnda Lowery of Detroit, Michigan, Vaughn Lowery of Los Angeles, California, thirteen grandchildren and two-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends.

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