Joann Summers Lowe

Joann Summers Lowe, 88 passed on June 12th at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Born in Jacksonville, Florida to Father William Ormond Summers and Mother Leila Stephens Summers, Joann returned with her parents to Sarasota after they lost their grocery business in Jacksonville shortly after the beginning of the Great Depression. Joann was a descendant of two pioneer families, The Stewarts and the Stephens who travelled from Georgia and Alabama soon after the end of the American Civil War by wagon. Eventually, part of those families settled in the Venice area and her Maternal Great Grandfather, W.E. Stephens was the first Postmaster of Nokomis naming the town of Laurel after his wife. Joann’s Father, W.O. Summers was named the first Superintendent of Myakka State Park when it was formed. During that time Joann, along with her sister Jacqueline and parents lived at the park during its early period when the Civilian Conservation Corps Boys built much of the important infrastructure at the Park. In order for Joann to attend school during that time Mr. Summers, who was a friend of the only Judge in Sarasota, was able to secure a Driver’s License for her at the age of 12 so she could drive herself from the Park to Hawkins corner to catch the bus for school. The Sarasota Joann grew up in was a much different place than what it is today. She loved to tell stories of delivering eggs, milk and newspapers to residents by bicycle when Tuttle Avenue was a dirt road. Joann served her church, First United Methodist where she and Stan were married since her childhood. Joann was the first of 5 children in the family, all of whom were musically talented, to attend Florida State University on a music scholarship after graduating from Sarasota High. Upon graduation from FSU with a Degree in Education she returned to Sarasota and started a twenty- five year teaching career in elementary education at Southside Elementary and Philippi Shores. Joann taught generations of Sarasota’s kids and was always quick to say that she loved each and every one of them. During her early years at Southside Elementary Miss Summers met her future husband Stanley while he was in a sailing regatta off the old City Pier. She soon was crewing with Stan in regattas all around the area. Sailing was to become a lifetime experience for Joann and Stan as their family grew with the additions of son Fred and daughter Sandy. A 22 foot boat built by Stan and launched in 1954 provided an opportunity for the entire family to sail together beginning when Fred was 1 and Sandy only months old. Upon retiring from teaching Joann was able to indulge her passion for tennis playing and competing for decades at The Bath and Racquet in ladies doubles. Loved by all that knew her for her sweet, kind open nature Joann will always be remembered for laughing cheerfully with ease. Joann was preceded in death by her husband Stanley F. Lowe, Sister Julia Fry and brother Collier Summers. She is survived by son Frederick S. Lowe and his wife Laura L. Lowe, daughter Sandra L. Marchbank and her husband Ralph L. Marchbank, grandchildren Reid, Tessa and Raleigh Marchbank, Sisters Jacqueline Lupton of Pisgah Forest, N.C., and Marybeth Uebelhart of San Angelo, Texas and loads of loving nieces and nephews whom she adored. Joann was laid to rest next to the love of her life, Stanley F. Lowe in a private burial arranged by Toale Brothers at Sarasota Memorial Park.

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Joann Summers Lowe

August 30, 1929 - June 12, 2018