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Mary Judy Lowry Gravenmier
It is with the greatest sadness that I inform you all of the death of our friend and classmate Mary Judy Lowry Gravenmier on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Judy told me once that she never remembered a time when she didn't know me as a friend and I shared the same thought. We started to school together in 1950 in the first grade at Cruise Street Elementary in the same class room and continued for the next twelve years until graduation. During this time we attended the same church, same Sunday school class and never lost touch over the years. Judy fought many health battles in recent years. After the loss of her husband, she lived alone with her animal friends and completed her book which she worked on for 20 years.
I will always remember Judy as the CHS Class of 1962 Poet Laureate as she always contributed some witty words for any class special occasion. Judy had a sparkling personality, a keen wit and sense of humor, and was a beautiful person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy's sister Nancy and family and her caretaker Laura Lee Hanson. Judy's last wishes were to be cremated and her ashes mixed with her husband. Any other arrangements will be announced at a later time.
Judy Lowry, First Grade, Cruise St Elementary, Corinth, MS 1950
This is her biography as she wrote it:
Judy Lowry grew up in Corinth, Mississippi where she had shoes, a full set of teeth and an education beyond the fourth grade. Thusly prepared, she attended the University of Mississippi, majoring in Theatre. Unfortunately, she found all of Memphis' Thespian openings seemingly filled—ditto for Jackson and Little Rock.
She moved to Memphis and married James Gravenmier. James, a graphic designer, established Gravenmier Advertising/Art where Judy provided ad copy, and wrote comedy material for various Memphis radio stations. In addition she wrote articles for local and regional magazines and was invited by American Greetings to write humorous greeting cards.
Judy soon turned to fiction. Her short stories have appeared in literary, regional and national periodicals. For the University of Memphis she taught a course in Creative Writing. A HALLOWEEN AND OTHER SCARY MISSISSIPPI THINGS was her first novel. She resided in Southaven, Mississippi, where she continued to write.
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