Terry Michael Lowery, “Smokey”, 72, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away peacefully at his home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois at 12:35 AM, April 17, 2024.
As a young boy, he was nicknamed “Smokey” because it was said that he could really “smoke” the golf ball, and throughout his life, golf has remained his passion.
He was born June 6, 1951, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois to the late Harold Franklin and Ella Mae (Cox) Lowery. “Smoke” married Kathy (Collins) Lowery on November 29, 2003.
Smokey is survived by his longtime love, Kathy, his wife of over twenty years, his stepson, Jeffrey Ross Wimberly of Miami Beach, Florida, stepdaughter Leighann Collins Wimberly of DuQuoin, Illinois, treasured sister-in-law Rebecca Collins Schmitt,( Dr. Steve), nephews Paul and Reed Schmitt and niece Amy Hallinan, sister Rebecca Blackward Grothoff of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; niece Vanessa Blackward Shaw, great niece Tori Shaw, great nephew Tanner Shaw all of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, stepsister Barbara Brake (Richard) of Marion, Illinois, stepbrother Gordon Page (Patty) of Dahlgren, Illinois, cousins Marguerite Moore Koland of Iowa City, Iowa, Marjorie Hollingsworth of Marionville, Missouri, Gene Foreman of Waltonville, Illinois.
Predeceased by parents listed earlier and stepmother Emeral (Page) Lowery, nephew Adam Blackward, brothers-in-law Jerry Blackward, and Paul Grothoff, father-in-law and mother-in-law Floyd and Frances Collins.
Mr. Lowery worked for WC Alexander Wholesale for many years and retired as a wastewater treatment operator for the City of Mt. Vernon ( formerly EMC). He was a member of the Elks, and the Moose Lodges of Mt. Vernon and a member of Green Hills, Indian Hills, and Greenview Golf Clubs. Smokey rarely met a stranger anywhere he went and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on April 21, 2024, from 12 -2 PM followed by the funeral service at 2 PM. Internment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Smokey’s honor to MVTHS Boys and Girls Golf or Centralia Humane Society, from which Maggie Mae, the family dog, was rescued. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
