Tommie Davis Lowery

Tommie Louise Davis Lowery was born July 16, 1946, to Bessie and Larkin Davis of Laurel. She was the only child of a sassy straight-shooting Mom and kindhearted gentle spirited Dad. She grew up playing and exploring the neighborhood of Pendorff, attended school at Pendorff Elementary and church at Harmony Baptist. She graduated from Ellisville High School, Class of 1964, among a legendary tight-knit class that still meets for lunch once a month. At EHS, Tommie was a cheerleader, a role that suited her well and a role that she embodied for the rest of her life. She attended Jones County Junior College and received her bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1968. Tommie and Wayne met at Ellisville High School where all accounts report love at first sight. Anyone who knew them or witnessed them as a couple described their love as “one of a kind; the kind of love that is written about in books; soulmates.” They were married on the summer solstice, June 21st of 1969. Their love story continued as they brought into this world their three children: Amber, Devan and Brittany who they introduced to adventures both big and small. From the white beaches of old school Destin to the snowy mountains of Purgatory, Colorado, of which all were driven to by Econoline or mini-van; a true testament to their love for each other and their children. Tommie was the ultimate mother but she was also a career woman. Her first teaching position out of college was on the gulf coast where she impacted students and garnered her title as a sun goddess. From Physical Education to Gifted Education, her teaching career spanned many decades and led her to complete her Masters Degree in Gifted Education at USM in 1999. The running joke amongst her family was that her students had the uncanny ability of recognizing her wherever she went. From escalators at faraway shopping malls to elevators at the casinos, they always thanked her for being the best teacher they ever had. If she didn’t teach you, Tommie may have dressed you in her role as the uber fashionable owner of Camelot Fashions. She and her business partner, Cathy Cockrell, outfitted most of Laurel from the early 80’s through the mid-90’s. They created the phenomenon known as the Parking Lot Pep Rally that brought together local high schools in a spirit-filled contest and fashion show. When their only son, Devan, was murdered by a random act of gun violence in 1999 as a senior at Ole Miss, Tommie leaned on her incredible faith and began a ministry. She spoke at dozens of churches, women’s groups and civic organizations telling her family’s story and inspiring the masses. Much like the promise of the rainbow to Noah, the butterfly became a symbol to her of God’s love, grace and peace that surpasses all understanding. Her testimony was far reaching and her impact mighty, bringing hope to so many people who experienced Christ through her. To know Tommie was to love her. She never met a stranger and lived her life with such intention that she could lock in and listen, making a person feel as if they were the most important person on this earth. This was matched also by her ability to talk. If you knew Tommie, you knew her light, her love, her energy and her spark - she was pure joy. When she retired from the workforce in 2008 prior to the birth of her first “Grand,” she entered what she would later refer to as her “Mimi Era” (thank you T. Swift). She treasured every moment with her babies (even the hard ones) and the local Chick- Fil-A and Starbucks will miss her dearly. She is survived by her handsome husband of 57 years, Wayne; her daughters Amber Miller (Joe), Brittany Williams (Daniel); and eight “GRANDS”: Devan & Ellen Miller; Grayson Gavin, Gabby, Grace and Griffin Viner; Garrett and Gage Williams, affectionately known to their Mimi as “The G’s”. The Lowery, Miller & Williams families would like to say a special thank you to all of Tommie’s precious lifelong friends & cousins who were on the front lines with them over the last six weeks as Tommie fought hard to stay ahead of her glioblastoma diagnosis. Through it all, she never lost her joyful spirit. She leaves behind a lifetime legacy of grace, love and joy. Tommie’s Celebration of Life will be at Harmony Baptist Church, 3213 Ellisville Boulevard, on Friday, April 10, 2026. Visitation is from 9:30 AM to 11 AM with the Celebration beginning at 11 AM. Pallbearers will include Tommie’s beloved son-in-laws Joe Miller and Daniel Williams, grandson Grayson Gavin and dear friends Tom Brown, Gary Daughtry and Mike Ellzey. In honor of Tommie, please wear every color in the rainbow - the brighter the better. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made In Remembrance of Tommie Davis Lowery to the following organizations that were close to her heart: The Social Club (Special Needs Inclusive Play Non-Profit) https://www.thesocialclublaurel.com/donations 2110A Sandy Lane Laurel 39443 Devan Lowery Memorial Scholarship at JCJC Foundation, Inc. 900 South Court Street Ellisville, Ms. 39437 https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/giving-support/ To sign the online guest book, visit: www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Tommie Davis Lowery

July 16, 1946 - April 4, 2026