Civil rights legend Rev Joseph E Lowery passed away on 27th March (Friday), around 10pm, at his home in Atlanta. He was aged 98, at the time of his passing. According to family member, Imara Canady, while requesting privacy for the family, stated that the civil rights leader passed away, while being surrounded by his daughters.
Rev. Joseph Lowery, who was ordained a minister after he graduated from college, was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rev. Joseph Lowery served as the president of the SCLC from 1977 to 1998.
In 1965, Rev. Joseph Lowery was head of the delegation of the Selma-to-Montgomery March, which was the demonstration that ended up giving series of demands to former Alabama governor George Wallace, according to CNN. Also, Rev. Joseph Lowery was among the marchers assaulted during “Bloody Sunday.”
For his exceptional display of courage in the defence of civil rights, Rev. Joseph Lowery has received numerous accolades for this feat. He has received almost a dozen honourary doctorates, as well as several achievement awards. Most notably is the Presidential Medal of Freedom presented to him by former President Barack Obama in 2009.
Aside from civil rights, Rev. Joseph Lowery has also spoken out on various other issues, such as apartheid, strife in the Middle East and LGBTQ rights.
Various personalities have reacted to the death of the legend, via social media. Notably among them is Bernice King, daughter of Late Dr. King. According to her, she wrote “It’s hard to imagine a world or an Atlanta without Reverend #JosephLowery. I’m grateful for a life well-lived and for its influence on mine. I’ll miss you, Uncle Joe. You finally made it up to see Aunt Evelyn again”.
Also, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey tweeted saying “Rev. Joseph Lowery was one of those leaders in our history who expanded the moral imagination of our country. He committed his life to the cause of equality — unrelentingly confronting bigotry to advance justice. We are forever indebted to him for his work”.
Former Georgia Gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams tweeted some words about the deceased legend saying ,“With the passing of Rev. Joseph Lowery, the world lost a spiritual leader – a sage who understood that politics did not stand separate from who we are but told the story of who we are willing to be, May God’s face smile upon his newest angel, peace to his beloveds.”
Rev. Joseph Lowery was married to Evelyn Lowery in 1950, and remained married to her until her death in 2013. Rev. Joseph Lowery had 3 daughters with her, and 2 sons from a previous marriage.
We all at Crumour say Rest in Power, legend.
