Blanche Wilkinson Lowery

Blanche Lowery, born March 8, 1950, to Samuel and Nellie Wilkinson and transitioned to her forever home on Friday, September 8, 2023.

Blanche Lowery played many roles during the course of her 73 years. She was a loving wife to former Fultondale Mayor, Jim Lowery, for over 30 years, the "First Lady of Fultondale" for 24 years, a stepmother to Cristi, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister, and perhaps most importantly, a friend to many, many people. If the dictionary had a picture in the definition of the word "friend" it would be Blanche.

Blanche was raised in Hueytown where she graduated from high school in 1968.  She went on to study at UAB where she received her BS in Nursing 4 years later and then on to the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing at Samford University where she earned the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) designation in 1978.

Blanche was curious by nature and her curiosity was coupled with a desire that evolved into a determination to help other people. Consequently, after about 15 years of service as a nurse and a CRNA she took a "break" to attend Cumberland School of Law at Samford. She thought the law might provide better opportunities to be of service to others and was awarded her Juris Doctorate in 1992. She passed the Alabama Bar Exam that same year, but she found that her curiosity about the law and service had been satisfied and her determination to help others was better served by working as a CRNA and particularly with children. Blanche was a CRNA at Children's Hospital of Alabama for 28 years from 1992 until her retirement in 2020.  For the last 18 years, Blanche served as the Director of CRNA Services at Children's.

Upon meeting Blanche for the first time and learning she was a nurse anesthetist a new friend often remarked, "Oh, so you put people to sleep?" And Blanche always replied, "Yes, that's my second most important job!” The new friend would ask what's her most important job and Blanche would smile and say "Waking them up!" Blanche put many, many kids to sleep and woke them up.

Blanche Lowery was instilled with the spirit of a servant. In addition to her duties at Children's Hospital and always being there for family and friends, she made time to serve on the Board of Directors of the UAB National Alumni Association, keeping up her many and varied gardening projects and nurturing her beloved cats that were so close to her heart.

Blanche is survived by her husband, Jim; stepdaughter, Cristi Farley (Bryan); brothers, David Wilkinson (Shirley) and Charles Wilkinson (Linda); sister, Melanie Wilkinson, brothers-in-law, David, Doyle and Daryl Lowery; and grandchildren, Christopher, Luke and Cole. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Nellie Wilkinson.  The family extends special thanks to Dr. Doug Alford and Hope Hospice and all their caregivers, special long time friend, Chris Harris and all of the special friends Blanche worked along side of at Children's Hospital over the years.

The family will receive friends at Walker Chapel Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m with the funeral service to follow at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with Children’s Hospital Chaplain Aleesa Naish officiating.  Burial will be in Walker Chapel Memorial Gardens.  

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