(Reprinted from “The Anniston Star,” November 26, 1999.)
Herman L. “Doc” Lowery, who practiced physical therapy in Anniston, Ala. for more than 40 years, died Nov. 24, 1999 at National Health Care Center. He was 78.
Born in Butler County, Lowery was one of five children born to Rev. S.F. Lowery and Ella M. Lowery. At the age of 17, he was blinded in an accident.
He was well known in the Anniston area, having moved there in 1946 to establish his professional practice after graduating from the Alabama School for the Blind in Talladega and the American Physiotherapy Institute Inc. in Anderson, Ind. In 1949, he married Eulene East from Delta. Together they began providing toys for the children at the Alabama School for the Blind at Christmas time. The Lowerys continued to enlarge the holiday gift-giving to the blind children in Talladega. Many of Lowery’s patients have given donations in support of his work with blind children. The White Cane drive donations in Anniston have provided funds for the children for many years.
Among his many contributions in helping others, Lowery established a benefit fund in 1957 at the Alabama Industries for the Blind that served as a cooperative loan and benefit fund network for the blind workers until 1987.
In 1960, Lowery and some blind friends in Anniston established the Anniston Chapter of the Blind, an organization to provide support for blind children enrolled in the Alabama School for the Blind. He held all offices over the years and the chapter met in his office and home each month for more than 25 years.
Lowery was also active in McCoy United Methodist Church, where he served as the chairman of the board during the time of the church move from Moore Avenue to its present location on Brighton Avenue.
Survivors include his wife, Eulene East Lowery, of Anniston; a sister, Jean Campbell, of Gastonia, N.C.; a brother, Rev. Sam F. Lowery, of Pennington. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George Lowery and C.F. Lowery.
The family requests no flowers, but suggests that memorials be made to the Anniston Council of the Blind or McCoy United Methodist Church.