Jacquelyn “Jackie” (Dean) Lower

Jacqelyn “Jackie” Dean Lower, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, learning, and unwavering strength. Born on May 8, 1943, in Perry, Georgia, Jackie carried the warmth of her Southern roots throughout her life. She graduated from Perry High School in 1961 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercer University in 1964, followed by a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Denver in 1966.

Jackie dedicated her life to education and literacy, serving as an English instructor at Louisiana State University – Shreveport, Centenary College, and Union University. She later became a beloved school and district librarian in Texas, retiring from Waskom ISD in 2010. Her passion for books was matched only by her love for shopping, sewing, family traditions, and the family horses.

Jackie was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Martha McCraw Chapter), the Order of the Eastern Star (Marshall Chapter #356), and the Red Hat Society in Marshall. Her community involvement reflected her thoughtful, caring, and independent spirit.

She held a deep and abiding love for her family and friends, always placing them at the center of her life. Her home in Marshall, Texas, was a sanctuary of warmth and laughter, and her childhood home in Perry, Georgia, remained a treasured place in her heart throughout her life.

Among her most cherished memories were the peaceful days spent at the family cabin in Colorado, where she found joy in the quiet beauty of the mountains. One of her proudest adventures was summiting Uncompahgre Peak, one of Colorado’s majestic fourteeners, with her beloved husband Frank. She also bravely attempted to summit Mount Elbert, the state’s highest peak—testaments to her tenacity, adventurous spirit, and the deep bond she shared with her husband.

Jackie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank John Lower; her parents, Malcolm Martin Dean and Virginia Oliver Dean; and her brother-in-law, James Rogers. She is survived by her loving children: Laura Dean Lower and her husband Daniel Dohner, with their children Aaron and Jacquelyn; Malcolm Frederick Lower and his wife Brandy, with their children Amelia, Emery, and Makenna; and Frank Garrison Lower and his wife Corissa, with their children Henry, Maya, Brooklyn, Carter, and Isaiah. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Dean Rogers, and her children James, Wendy, and Tony.

Jackie will be remembered as tenacious, caring, thoughtful, independent, and above all, loving. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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