Wilma Jean Lower

Wilma Jean Lower, 76, Fair Play, died Nov. 2, 2015. She was born July 29, 1939, in Springfield, to Henry and Grace Lay Carr and was raised on a farm in northern Greene County, where six generations of her family have lived and continue to raise black Angus cattle. After graduating from Willard High School in 1957, she continued her education, earning a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University and a master's degree from University of Missouri-Columbia. On Dec. 27, 1975, she was united in marriage to Fred Lower and they lived together on his family farm in Polk County where they raised cattle and operated a greenhouse. Wilma Jean was a faithful member of Bolivar Church of Christ, where she developed deep and lasting friendships during the more than 40 years she attended there. Throughout her 39-year career as a specialist with University of Missouri Extension, Wilma Jean touched the lives of countless people in southwest Missouri as she traveled the region supporting them with educational programs and other resources available through Extension. She began her career in Cassville and then moved to Bolivar in 1971 where she worked for the Polk County Extension Office. She was honored numerous times for her professional accomplishments and contributions throughout her career, including being inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame in 2009. After she retired in 2000, she continued to serve her community through volunteer work, including 10 years at Bolivar Senior Health Center. Wilma Jean played an active role in the operation of Carr Stock Farm and frequently consulted on decisions about herd management, especially the selection of bulls. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends so she and Fred often hosted barbecues and potluck dinners at their home. Since childhood she was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoyed listening to their games on the radio or watching them on television. She is survived by her husband of 40 years Fred; sister Wanda Jo Bumgarner and her husband Rex, Springfield; niece Felicia Bumgarner and her husband Bobby Johnson, Niangua; nephew Charles Bumgarner and his wife Trudy, Springfield; nieces Teresa Bumgarner Bledsoe, Springfield, and Candace Bumgarner, Tulsa; great-nephews Nathan Wilson and his wife Nicole, Marshall; Cody Wilson and his wife Ashley, Rogersville; Grant Bledsoe, Springfield; Jett Bumgarner, Springfield; and Cole Feese, Tulsa; great-niece Baylee Grace Feese, Tulsa; and great-great-nephew Jaxson Allen Wilson, Marshall. She is also survived by brothers-in-law William Bernard Lower and his wife Helen, Fair Play; John B. Lower and his wife Claudia, Bolivar; James R. (Dick) Lower and his wife Anna Lea, Stockton; and Larry Joe Lower and Gerry, Berkeley Springs, W.V.; and sisters-in-law Beulah Watkins, Bolivar; Bertha Perryman, Kansas City; Betty Hendershot and husband J.P., Overland Park, Kan.; and Carol Ann Hewes and husband Bob, Tallahassee, Fla.; and a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 at Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Bolivar Church of Christ, 401 S. Killingsworth Ave., Bolivar, with burial to follow at Barren Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Polk County 4-H, 110 E. Jefferson Ave., Bolivar, MO, 65613. PDF Printable Version

Wilma Jean Lower

July 29, 1939 - November 2, 2015