Mary Christine Hodge Lowry, 100 formerly of Buck, WV, passed away on January 27, 2021.

She was born November 19, 1920 and married in December 1939.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lowry.  She was also preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters, and survived by one sister, Bonnie Lilly formerly of Seminole Road.

She is also survived by two sons, Howard Nelson Lowry and wife, Cora, of Lake Tahoe, NV, and Steven Lowry and companion, Sharon Buckland, of Dry Pond, WV, and two daughters, Bernice Backus and husband, Ben, of Elkins, WV, and Joyce Hockenberry of Hinton, WV, and a total of seven grandchildren, Harold Meadows, and wife Diane, Carolyn Light and husband Phillip, Rhonda Lowry, Mark Lowry, and wife Cindy, Elana Backus, and companion Ralph Hamrick, Jr., Philip Backus, Cheryl Kula and husband, Ted; thirteen great grandchildren including and thirteen great, great grandchildren also survive.

She was a member of Little Wolf Creek Baptist Church, where she spent many years as an example of faith and a strong influence to many children as Sunday schoolteacher, church play designer, and craft creator.

She was not fond of the name, Mary, and preferred to go by Christine or Chris to close friends.  Friends and family often felt her touch as she reached out frequently through beautifully written letters, or long, chatty phone calls.  Her favorite spot to relax was on one side of the sofa, nearest to the window, where she could talk on the phone and watch the changing of the WV seasons. Bits of material, thread, and needles were often scattered around her seat as she created her own crazy quilt designs or story quilts, or made pot holders for anyone who might want a pair.

No person or animal came to her door without being offered a homemade buttermilk biscuit, as she kept a steady supply warming on the back of her wood stove. She was not much for hugs or kisses, but everyone she loved knew a meal was ready for them at her table. She would often say that she did not like to try new recipes because they would require starting with a clean bowl.

For years, she and Tom would hike down the hillside to one of the few flat spots on the mountain, where they grew a huge vegetable garden to feed their family.  When making the trek was no longer physically possible, they dug patches around their farm house and grew smaller sets of tomatoes, beans, and of course, flowers. Her brothers would call and they would compete on who grew the largest tomato that year.

Christine found enjoyment in gospel music, and if talked into it, would play the guitar and sing for visitors. She had a great love for the written word and bits of poetry or essays could be found all over the house on the backs of envelopes or on slips of paper tucked into books.  The following was written by her in 1942 and the family feels her words share our feelings for her:

Mommy's Light

When day is done with its toils and cares,

And the sun has sunk from sight.

Far out like a beacon in the dark

Shines the rays of Mommy's light.

Like a Lighthouse built upon the sand,

Shining far out on the ocean's foam,

So Mommy's lamp lights up the path

That leads the way back home.

Sometimes the fog is thick and dark,

The world is cold and damp.

But I know behind the mist and storm

Still glistens Mommy's lamp.

When Mommy's lamp down here on earth

Will shine no more at night

I know from her window in Heaven

Will still glisten Mommy's lamp.

Private graveside services and burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday January 30, 2021 at the Huffman Cemetery at Buck with Rev. Joe Naylor officiating.  There will be no visitation. Those wishing to attend the services are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Pall Bearers will be: Eugene and Edward Thompson, Dayton Lowry, Ted Kula, Danny Meadows, and Royce Fleshman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:  Little Wolf Creek Missionary Fund; 58 Huffman Cemetery Road, Hinton, WV 25951.